The discovery of oil in the Zechstein Hauptdolomite of the Ossian prospect (42/4-1Z) in 2019 triggered a significant amount of interest from the industry. After all, could oil be the new thing in the Southern North Sea, where gas has had such a dominant role so far?
The high water cut observed during the DST was not a very promising aspect of the find, but it must also be realised that the well location was not ideal for the Zechstein target given that the underlying Carboniferous was the main aim. For that reason, an appraisal well was always required to fully test the Ossian prospect in a more updip area, which until very recently was supposed to be drilled at some point in the not too distant future.
Shortly after the discovery, Spirit Energy took over operatorship from ONE-Dyas, but the Dutch company did keep a stake in the licence. The fact that Spirit has now decided to relinquish the licence (P2133) means that this well will not be drilled anytime soon, which is clearly a missed opportunity to further proof the validity of the play.
Given the interest of some companies in the area – with Kees Jongepier from Draupner Energy informally nominating ION Geophysical as UK Explorer of the Year in the light of the 3D seismic survey they acquired over the southern margin of the Mid North Sea High – this decision must not be underestimated. Shell and Deltic Energy are still supposed to drill Pensacola prospect next year, which is now looking to be the only firm test of the Zechstein play for the time being.
In other news, energy-expert Thomas Fridrich tweeted that the new German coalition agreement includes no new permits for oil and gas offshore. Will this also affect cross-border prospects where wells may be drilled from a neighbouring jurisdiction into German waters? If so, then it may impact the Caerus prospect we discussed last week, as well as the N05-A and adjacent prospects a little further south.
HENK KOMBRINK
