Operator ONE-Dyas is reported to have found gas in exploration well N04-03, recently completed north of the N05-A gas discovery that is likely to be developed in the next few years.
This is a positive sign, and probably adds additional resources to the N05-A development, from which the company hopes to produce 4.9 BCM (31 MMboe).
Although volumes for Turkoois have not been released yet, given the size of the prospect in map view and the high probability that the targeted reservoir was the same as the basal Rotliegend sandstones in N05-A, it could be that volumes are even higher than in N05-A. However, it must be said that the basal Rotliegend sandstones in the area are thin and have a patchier distribution than the slightly younger and thicker Rotliegend sandstones of the Slochteren Fm, so any prediction must be taken with caution. See the cross-section below for an impression of the Rotliegend reservoir setting in the N05-A discovery.
As the map above illustrates, ONE-Dyas also identified a series of prospects directly adjacent of the N05-A discovery. Once the development has been approved, it is likely that the company will drill these prospects directly from the platform, with the Turkoois discovery potentially serving as a future tie-back.
As we already reported on in a few articles before, the discovery of gas in this area is an interesting development. Often quoted as one of the most mature areas of the North Sea, it proves that even in an area that was NAM’s “front garden” for many decades (the NAM-operated Groningen field is situated just south of the N05-A discovery), there are still volumes to be chased.
Knowing that the classic Rotliegend Slochteren fairway pinches out just north of the Groningen field, the area was essentially written off for a long time until UK-based explorer Hansa Hydrocarbons came along and started further studying the area’s potential with regards to slightly deeper and older Rotliegend (Upper Permian) sands. See this article for a more detailed account.
HENK KOMBRINK
