Shell has proven gas with its first exploration well on the Selene prospect in the UK southern North Sea.
According to partner Deltic Energy, the 48/8b-3Z well reached TD of 3,540 m TVDSS on Oct. 17 after penetrating a 160-m thick Leman Sandstone section.
The well encountered the top part roughly 70 m deep to prognosis with elevated mud gas readings, confirming the presence of gas, which extends down to the underlying Carboniferous basement.
Wireline logging and fluid sampling analysis confirmed a live gas column above a gas-water contact at 3,370 m in the middle of the B-Sand; this is the main producing interval within the overall Leman sandstone section.
Early results indicate a high-quality dry gas, as produced typically from other fields nearby, Deltic added.
The company now estimates Selene’s P50 recoverable resources at 131 Bcf. Although this is at the lower end of pre-drill estimates, much of the resources is in better-quality B-Sand updip from the 48/8b-3Z well location.
This should support a simpler and lower-capex/opex development with higher gas production per well than originally predicted.
The well was not designed to accommodate a surface flow test, with all reservoir data needed to support a potential future development having been acquired during the operation.
