Austrian oil and gas company OMV has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary OMV UK, together with international partners, has successfully identified hydrocarbons offshore UK, in its core area of northwestern Europe.
OMV has said that the exploration well 204/25a-8 drilled on the Amos prospect, west of the Shetland Islands, with commercial potential due to its proximity to the producing Schiehallion Field, was completed in April 2008 as an oil discovery.
The Jackdaw appraisal well 30/2a-7 in the central North Sea has successfully identified hydrocarbon volumes. A sidetrack appraisal well is being drilled and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. These recent drilling successes are expected to lay the groundwork for future developments.
Helmut Langanger, OMV executive board member responsible for exploration and production, said: The year 2008 has seen a substantial increase of commitment by OMV to the UK offshore areas, and these successes west of the Shetland Islands and in the North Sea are strong evidence of our expected growth in offshore oil and gas reserves and production in coming years.