Offshore staff

LONDON, UK --Ithaca has proved an eastward extension of its Athena oil discovery in the UK central North Sea.

The company's latest well on the structure encountered a total of 355-ft (108 m) of sandstones after intersecting the top of the Upper Leek formation at 8,617-ft (2,626 m) TVD subsea. The entire Upper Leek section was above the previously established oil/water contact, with a total gross oil column of 638-ft (195 m).

Analysis suggests well 14/18b-16 is also in hydraulic communication with the 14/18b-15 discovery. Ithaca is currently running production casing to total depth, and will then perforate the latest well for testing, expected to take around nine days. If successful, it will be suspended for future production.

Ithaca says the results confirm its seismic interpretation and prognosis concerning an eastward extension. Subject to rig availability, it will look to drill a third well in the first half of next year. Development planning for Athena continues.

10/09/2007