Offshore staff
CALGARY, Canada – Antrim Energy has discovered oil and gas in the Erne structure in the UK central North Sea.
Well 21/29d-11 was drilled by the semisub WilPhoenix to a TD of 5,562 ft (1,695 m). Initial analysis indicates a thick gross hydrocarbon column of more than 50 ft (15 m) was encountered in the Eocene Upper Tay sandstone.
This included 20 ft (6 m) of net oil pay and a separate 10 ft (3 m) of net gas pay with average porosity of more than 30% and average hydrocarbon saturation of roughly 80%.
There will be no flow test, although Antrim and partner Premier Oil have agreed to drill a sidetrack from the pilot hole to further delineate the reservoir.
Once operations are completed, the WilPhoenix will transfer block 21/28b to drill the nearby Eocene Tay Carra prospect (Antrim 100%). This program should last around 23 days.
Erne is between the Premier-operated Fyne field (Antrim 35.1%) and the West and Northwest Guillemot fields. Carra is immediately south of Fyne and southwest of Erne.
An appraisal well is scheduled to spud on Fyne’s eastern segment in block 21/28a later this month.
12/01/2011
