Offshore staff
LONDON --EnCore Oil has contracted the jackup Ensco 80 for an appraisal well on the Cobra gas discovery in the UK southern North Sea.
Due to earlier than expected rig availability, drilling should start early next year, in block 48/2c.
Applied Drilling Technology will manage the well, which will appraise Amoco's 48/2-1 discovery of 1994. This flowed 2.7 MMcf/d of gas on test from Rotliegend sandstones.
CEO Alan Booth says that the appraisal program – EnCore's first operated well – is relatively low-risk. The location is around 300 ft (91.4 m) up-dip from the discovery well.
EnCore also has agreed on a farm-out with Challenge Minerals (North Sea), giving the latter the right to acquire a 5% interest in the block and also in 48/1b. Under the terms of this and a previous agreement with Tata Petrodyne and Bharat Petroleum, EnCore will pay for 3% of the appraisal well cost, while retaining 20% of the license.
12/29/2007
