Culzean Sidetrack Royally Executes Find for Maersk

Maersk Oil announced that its appraisal well 22/25a-10z on the high-pressure high-temperature Culzean discovery has confirmed the presence of a significant hydrocarbon accumulation. Gas and condensate was confirmed at an average depth of nearly 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometers), within the targeted reservoirs of Triassic and Jurassic age. The appraisal well was drilled by the ENSCO 101 jackup.

The well was tested in two intervals and delivered a rig constrained rate of nearly 40 MMcf/d of natural gas in addition to 900 barrels of condensate per day in each interval. Martin Rune Pedersen, Maersk Oil UK Managing Director, stated “the production test shows that the Culzean discovery has the potential to be one of the most promising HPHT discoveries in the UK sector in recent years.”

The consortium will further appraise the find by drilling a sidetrack well down flank to the east of the appraisal well to assess the full extent of the field. The results of this sidetrack well are expected in summer 2011 after which an additional appraisal well will be drilled. Culzean is located in the UK sector of the North Sea about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Aberdeen.

Maersk Oil operates the field, holding a 49.99% interest; JX Nippon holds 17.06%; Eni UK holds 16.95%; and BP holds the remaining 16% interest.