Offshore staff
LONDON– Premier has proven further oil in the Catcher development area in the central UK North Sea.
Its latest exploration well (28/09-5A) on the Carnaby prospect appears to have encountered 51 ft (15.5 m) of net oil pay in the main Tay sandstone within an estimated 86-ft (26-m) oil column.
An extracted core confirmed the presence of oil in good quality sandstones. Pressure data and wireline samples indicate 24° API crude, similar to the nearby Catcher discoveries. Average porosity in the reservoir interval is 36%, and the average oil saturation is 85%.
The oil/water contact is at the shallower end of expectations, due to the more complex geology associated with this type of footwall prospect.
Premier will factor data from the well into its overall assessment of the Catcher area and to calibrate remaining exploration potential in this part of the block. Following P&A’ing, the rig will transfer to block 28/10a to drill the “high risk” Coaster prospect, east of the Catcher acreage.
6/6/2012
