Project Profile
Location: Block 22/19c, Central North Sea
Area: 75 square kilometre
Water depth: 90 m
Recoverable reserves: 180 Bcf or 60 million barrels of oil
The Oates prospect is located on Block 22/19c in 295 feet (90m) of water and was acquired by Serica in the UK 25th Round of Offshore Licensing. Serica operated the prospect. Shortly after acquiring the field, Serica administered a 3-D seismic survey and concluded that Oates is considered low risk and exhibits the same play type of the neighboring Columbus field. The prospect holds estimated recoverable reserves of 180 Bcf or 60 million barrels of oil, dependent on whether the discovery is of gas or oil.
In January 2010, Premier Oil reached an agreement with Serica Energy to farm-in to a 50% equity interest and assume operatorship of Block 22/19c. The ENSCO 100 jack-up was secured in April 2010, to drill one well on the prospect. Exploratory drilling is expected to commence in July 2010, and if proven successful, the prospect has the potential to be tied-back to a nearby infrastructure. The Monan field lies approximately 5 miles (8 kilometres) to the east of the license. The well reached a targeted depth of 10,323 ft (3,146 m) in the 22/19c-6 well in August 2010. The well encountered the Forties objective as planned, but logging has indicated that hydrocarbons are not present. The well will be plugged and abandoned as a dry hole.
Operators:
ENI: Operator with 40% interest (since May 2014)
JX Nippon: 25% interest
Mitsui: 20% interest
Serica: 15% interest
Contractors:
Ensco: Drilling rig