Project Profile
Location: Western margin of the North Falkland Basin
Discovery Date: April 2010
The Liz prospect is located on the western margin of the North Falkland Basin on Tranche C offshore the Falkland Islands. Desire Petroleum serves as the operator of Liz, holding a 92.5% interest; Rockhopper holds a 7.4% interest. On February 22, 2010, exploratory drilling began on well 14/19-A by the Ocean Guardian semisub. The well is targeting a depth of 11,483 feet (3,500 metres) and drilling is expected to take up to 30 days. In March, the well reached a depth of 11,713 feet (3,570 metres) and logging was underway. At around 8,366 feet (2,550 metres) the well encountered hydrocarbons in the primary target, and subsequent logging operations showed oil may be present in the intervals, but the reservoir quality is poor. At a level of 11,155 feet (3,400 metres), gas was also encountered but the findings still have to be evaluated by wireline logging and sampling, which should be completed soon.
The 14/19-1 well on the Liz prospect reached a total depth of 12,031 feet (3,667 metres) and final logging was completed. The well is now being plugged and abandoned as a gas discovery. Initial log interpretations indicate that 56 feet (17 metres) of net hydrocarbon pay were encountered between 9,715 and 9,944 feet (2,961 and 3,031 metres) with a zone of over-pressured, predominantly sandstone reservoir. A hydrocarbon sample and formation pressures were recovered from this interval as well, but the initial analysis suggest that the hydrocarbon type is wet gas. Dry gas was also recovered from a deeper interval below 11,155 feet (3,400 metres) indicating that gas pay is present in a poor quality reservoir, but it is uncertain what the rock type is and further analysis is required to assess the potential of the reservoir. The Liz fan was encountered between 8,333 and 8,425 feet (2,540 and 2,568 metres), and good oil shows were recorded while drilling, but logging and sampling confirmed the reservoir is tight. Weak oil was also noted in zones between 8,878 and 9,619 feet (2,706 and 2,932 metres), however due to increasing overpressure concerns, the well did not reach the deepest play type.
Operators:
Desire Petroleum: Operator with 92.5% interest
Rockhopper: 7.5% interest
Contractors:
Diamond Offshore: Drilling contract
Polarcus Limited: Seismic Survey