Spirit Energy’s new North Sea gas discovery at ‘lower end of expectations’

Oil and gas company Spirit Energy has proved a natural gas discovery in the targeted Carboniferous sandstones of its Andromeda North well located in the UK North Sea, but the discovery is at the “lower end of expectations.”

The Andromeda North is located in license P2128, Block 42/12, in the Southern North Sea where Spirit is the operator with a 55% interest and Hague and London Oil (HALO) is a partner with the remaining 45% interest.

The well was spud on Monday, July 29, 2019, using the Noble Hans Deul jack-up drilling rig.

According to HALO’s update on Monday, December 2, operations on the Andromeda North exploratory well have been completed and the rig moved off location recently having proved a natural gas discovery in the targeted Carboniferous sandstones.

Andromeda North is located in the block immediately to the west of the Greater Pegasus Area that has been successfully drilled and tested while currently under review for development concepts.

HALO said that the well found a significant gas column and reservoir section within the Westphalian A target section on the north side of Pegasus West bounding fault. The well encountered gas in good quality, porous and permeable, sandstone, as was found in a similar reservoir section in Pegasus West.

The gas water contact was shallower than in Pegasus West indicating that Andromeda North is not in communication with Pegasus West. The well was drilled down-dip from the crest of the structure.

Pressure data demonstrates recoverable gas and there remains an, as yet, unquantified volume up-dip of the Andromeda North well. Consequently, the well met the minimum targets and was plugged and abandoned while the data is being studied for future activity.

The commitments have been met for the current phase of the 43/12 Block and the partners will evaluate the Andromeda North results for future planning, inclusive of a possible up-dip location as a potential appraisal well, alongside the ongoing development work within the Greater Pegasus Area.

Andrew Cochran, HALO Chairman and Interim CEO, commented: “The Andromeda North well proved a natural gas discovery in the Carboniferous objective but at the lower end of expectations. However, it has also proven the Pegasus play further westward. The operations were completed safely and within budget while the partners will continue to evaluate the data and implications for future activity in the Andromeda area in parallel with the ongoing Pegasus work.”

Offshore Energy Today Staff

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