Initial analysis indicates 82ft of net hydrocarbon pay over a gross interval of over 236ft. A core was taken in the main sand body, which recovered 44ft of oil bearing sand.
The well was drilled to a total depth of 5,931ft measured depth (MD) and no oil water contact was found. Initial pressure data suggests a common pressure regime between Catcher East and Catcher and on this basis, an oil column of 267ft has been proven. Initial analysis of the data indicates that both Catcher East and Catcher are likely to be part of a single significant oil accumulation.
EnCore and its co-venturers have now decided to drill an additional side-track to the south west of the original 28/9-1 Catcher discovery well. The aim of this well is to determine the presence or otherwise of additional reservoir sands not encountered in the original Catcher well.
This sidetrack, to be known as the 28/9-1Y Catcher SW Appraisal, will begin after the completion of the current Catcher East side-track operations and will take approximately 10–15 days, dependent upon weather and operational delays. This will be the final well in this phase of the Catcher area appraisal drilling program.
Alan Booth, CEO of EnCore Oil, said: “The results of this side-track have confirmed that Catcher and Catcher East are one contiguous accumulation. Initial analysis of the seismic data, now calibrated by drilling, suggests that block 28/9 could possibly contain a series of discoveries that would form one of the larger North Sea oil accumulations of recent years.”
The equity in the joint venture partnership is: EnCore Oil (15%, operator), Premier Oil (35%), Wintershall (UK North Sea) (20%), Nautical Petroleum (15%) and Agora Oil & Gas (15%).
