GDF Suez, BP confirm two-block North Sea discovery

Oct. 23, 2014
GDF Suez E&P UK and BP have a new discovery in the UK central North Sea.

Offshore staff

LONDON – GDF Suez E&P UK and BP have a new discovery in the UK central North Sea.

Exploration well 30/1f-13AZ, drilled by the jackupTransocean Galaxy II for operator GDF Suez E&P, encountered hydrocarbons in a Palaeocene sandstone reservoir in BP-operated block 30/1c (license P363) and a subsequent side track into block 30/1f (license P1588) operated by GDF Suez E&P UK.

On test, the well flowed up to 5,350 boe/d. GDF Suez has designated its named portion of the discovery Marconi, while BP refers to its portion as Vorlich.

Ruud Zoon, managing director of GDF Suez E&P UK, said: “This is an encouraging exploration discovery in a part of the central North Sea that needs additional volumes of hydrocarbons to open up development options for several stranded discoveries. The discovery is our third successful well this year.”

The jackupTransocean Galaxy II drilled the well under a joint agreement between the two license groups.

Britain’s Business and Energy Minister Matthew Hancock said: “This discovery shows exactly what can be achieved in theNorth Sea if companies work together to maximize the considerable potential of remaining oil and gas reserves.”

Equity interests in the P1588 license areGDF Suez E&P UK (50%), RWE Dea SNS (27.78%), and Maersk Oil North Sea (22.22%).

Equity interests in the P363 license are BP (50%) and Total E&P UK (50%).

10/23/2014