Glengorm is the giant new gas find by operator CNOOC in the Central North Sea, marking the largest offshore hydrocarbon discovery in the UK for eight years.
Map highlighting the Glengorm gas discovery in the UK Central North Sea. Source: Source: OGA, Rystad Energy UCube.
A major new gas find is the largest discovery in the UK offshore for eight years. Glengorm, announced by operator CNOOC in late January 2019, is reported to hold recoverable resources of 250 MMboe. It is located in Licence P2215 in the Central North Sea in waters of approximately 80m and was drilled to a total depth of 5,056m. The well encountered net gas and condensate pay zones with a total thickness of 37m in a high quality Upper Jurassic reservoir.
CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, is the operator of Licence P2215, holding 50% interest, while Total and Euroil both hold 25%.
According to Total, Glengorm lies close to existing infrastructure operated by the company, suggesting tie-back possibilities, such as to the Elgin-Franklin platform or the Culzean project, which was discovered in 2008 and scheduled to start production this year. It also presents some upside potential with several other prospects already identified on the same block.
This discovery in the mature UK Central North Sea province has caused great excitement, confirming the considerable remaining potential in the region, especially since Glengorm was first mapped as a prospect around 20 years ago. However, as the gas is reservoired in a complex high-pressure, high-temperature environment, further evaluation and development could prove both technically challenging and expensive.
Further Reading on Oil and Gas Exploration Offshore UK
Some recommended reading relating to, or similar in content to, the exploration of oil and gas offshore UK.
Future Hydrocarbon Potential of the UK North Sea
Jane Whaley
Q&A with Neil Hodgson, Exploration Director at Spectrum. What does the future hold for hydrocarbon exploration and production in the UK North Sea?
This article appeared in Vol. 15, No. 5 – 2018
Triassic Petroleum Plays in the North Sea
Henry Morris and Matt England; Azinor Catalyst
Exploring hydrocarbon play potential in new areas of the Triassic in the North Sea.
This article appeared in Vol. 15, No. 3 – 2018
UK Continental Shelf: Raising the Bar for Regional 3D Seismic in the Central North Sea
Gregor Duval, Steve Hollingworth and Luke Twigger, CGG
Well known for its challenging seismic imaging, the Central North Sea still harbours a wide range of exploration opportunities.
This article appeared in Vol. 12, No. 6 – 2016
