The Rowallan prospect is being drilled by the Ensco 121 heavy duty jack-up rig.
According to Serica Energy, which holds a stake of 15% in Block 22/19c, the 22/19c-G exploration well is targeting the high-pressure, high-temperature gas condensate prospect.
The Rowallan prospect is made up of a significant structural fault and dip-closed trap which can be comparable to the large Culzean field development located 20km to the SSE, said the British oil and gas company.
The company revealed that the exploration well is designed to penetrate high-quality sandstones at Middle Jurassic and Triassic levels, which are located optimally for hydrocarbon charge from the direction of the adjacent Monan and Mungo oil fields.
The drilling of the exploratory well at the Rowallan prospect is likely to take around 140 days.
Serica Energy, in a statement, said: “In the event of success, there is additional upside potential provided by the nearby Dundonald and Sundrum prospects, which are geologically similar to Rowallan. The Rowallan prospect may also extend onto Serica’s recently awarded 30th Round blocks directly to the south.”
Serica Energy’s partners in Block 22/19c are Eni with a stake of 40%, JX Nippon with a stake of 25% and Mitsui with a stake of 20%.
The company holds exploration, development and production assets in the UK and exploration stakes in the Atlantic margins offshore Ireland and Namibia.
In late 2018, it closed transactions to acquire a 98% stake in the Bruce field, a 100% stake in the Keith field and a 50% stake in the Rhum field, all located offshore UK. It is currently the operator of all the three offshore UK fields and their associated asset infrastructure.
The company also owns a stake of 18% in the producing Erskine field in the UK Central North Sea and a 50% operated stake in the Columbus Development, which is slated to begin development this year.
