UK operator Spirit Energy has hit gas in its Andromeda North well in the UK southern North Sea, to the west of the Greater Pegasus Area, however results were “at the lower end of expectations”.

Joint venture partner Hague & London Oil (Halo) confirmed Monday the 43/12-3 exploration well had made a gas discovery in the targeted Carboniferous sandstones.

According to Halo, the well intersected a significant gas column and reservoir section within the Westphalian A target section on the north side of the Pegasus West bounding fault.

While it described the intersected sandstones at Adromeda North as good quality, porous and permeable, Halo stated the find was at the lower end of its expectations.

“The Andromeda North well proved a natural gas discovery in the Carboniferous objective but at the lower end of expectations,” Halo chairman Andrew Cochran said.

“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

Halo highlighted the gas-was contract at Andromeda North was shallower than in Pegasus West indicating the new discovery is not in communication with Pegasus West.

Pressure data also demonstrated recoverable gas, with Halo noting there remained an, as yet, unquantified volume up-dip of the Andromeda North well.

The well at Andromeda North means the work commitments for the current phase of the 43/12 Block have now been met.

Halo said the joint venture would now evaluate the Andromeda North results for future planning, including a possible up-dip location as a potential appraisal well, alongside the ongoing development work within the Greater Pegasus Area.

Spirit operates Block 43/12 with a 55% working interest and Halo holds the remaining 45% share.

Halo also announced Monday it had been awarded an exploration permit for Block F5 in in the Dutch sector of the North Sea in partnership with Neptune Energy, with the latter to act as operator.

The acreage lies 200 kilometres north of Den Helder and 25 kilometres south-west of the Neptune-operated F3-B platform.

Exploration work is scheduled to commence next year with Halo noting the shallow objective at Block F5, combined with its close proximity to existing infrastructure, would make it “very cost efficient” to explore.

Exploration

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