In a press release issued yesterday, partner OKEA announced that the 15/12-26 well drilled by operator Chrysaor Norge in PL973 targeting the Ilder prospect came in dry. This is particularly disappointing because the previous well in the same licence didn’t result in a commercial discovery either. Last month, well 15/12-25 proved that the targeted Jerv prospect is in fact a northwards continuation of the Fleming field located to the south in UK waters.
Although the risk of drilling a depleted reservoir with 15/12-26 was certainly smaller than at Jerv, looking at a cross-section of the prospect (see headline image) one of the key risks seems to have been effective sealing of the reservoir along the southern margin where a major fault juxtaposes the Ula Fm reservoir against Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic mudstones.
Migration is not regarded as a high risk, because petroleum generation and migration modelling by Migris indicates that there is a 99% probability that the structure is situated within the hydrocarbon migration zone.
Once the NPD press release is out, there may be some more information on the actual quality of the reservoir.
Despite the disappointing drilling results, OKEA will not turn its back on PL973; in its 2021 Q1 presentation it states that the company is proceeding with concept development selection for the Grevling discovery situated a little further north from Ilder. The company also plans to drill at least one other exploration well to be drilled this year, targeting the Ginny prospect near its flagship Draugen field in the Norwegian Sea.
HENK KOMBRINK
