Premier Oil to assess Carnaby contribution to North Sea Catcher development

Premier Oil’s Carnaby exploration well 28/09-5A in the Central North Sea’s Catcher area has reached a total depth of 4,695 ft and encountered oil, the company announced this week. Initial analysis indicates that the well encountered 51 ft of net oil in the main Tay sandstone within an estimated 86-ft oil column. A core was taken and confirmed oil in excellent-quality sandstones. Pressure data and sampling indicates that the oil is API 24° and of similar quality to that established at the nearby Catcher discoveries.

The oil/water contact was at the shallower end of expectation, driven by the more complex geology associated with this type of footwall prospect. The well also encountered 51 ft of Cromarty sands, but these were shown to be water-wet on the logs.

The data acquired from the well will be used to determine what contribution the Carnaby discovery will make to the overall Catcher development. The well will be plugged and abandoned ahead of the rig moving to drill the high-risk Coaster prospect on Block 28/10a, immediately east of the Catcher acreage.

“The discovery of good quality oil in the western part of the block is encouraging, and the results from the Carnaby well will be used to calibrate the remaining exploration potential in this part of the block,” said Simon Lockett, Premier CEO. “In addition, the data from the Carnaby well will contribute to the ongoing development planning for the Catcher Area, which continues to move forward focusing on the production of oil from the previous discoveries on Block 28/9a.”