Dana Petroleum has made a significant gas discovery at the Platypus prospect in the UK Southern North Sea.

The Dana operated 48/1a-5 well was drilled in a water depth of approximately 142 feet to a total measured depth of 11,048 feet, targeting a high quality Rotliegend age, Lower Leman prospect. The well encountered some 218 vertical feet of good quality gas bearing sands and an extensive set of wireline log data is being acquired over the reservoir section.

Preliminary analysis indicates that the reserves discovered are in line with pre-drill estimates of approximately 130 billion cubic feet of gas. The Leman is the major producing reservoir in the Southern North Sea, and Dana is already producing gas from this reservoir horizon at the Johnston, Victor and Anglia fields. The Leman is also the reservoir in the Babbage field, which is currently being developed by Dana, with first gas expected in mid 2010.

Following completion of the logging, a multi-rate drill stem test will be performed. The complete well data-set will then be fully analysed and development options assessed.

The 48/1a-5 well will be suspended for potential re-entry and future use as a gas production well. The Transocean GSF Labrador drilling rig will then immediately move to the Monkwell prospect in Block 42/29a which is also operated by Dana.

Tom Cross, Dana's Chief Executive said, 'Dana is delighted to report a significant gas discovery at Platypus, which is the first target in its ongoing three well UK Southern North Sea programme. The Platypus gas field is situated in shallow water, with good reservoir quality and in close proximity to existing infrastructure. These are all very positive factors in respect of moving ahead with a gas development. This success also significantly improves the potential for further exploration in the block, including the adjacent Possum prospect.

As part of its extensive 2010 exploration programme, Dana is currently drilling the Bamboo prospect in the offshore Nile Delta and the K3-4 well in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, and has just spudded the Lorcan-1x well in the onshore Gulf of Suez. In addition, Dana will shortly spud the Storkollen prospect in the Norwegian North Sea and expects to spud the Anne Marie well in the Faroe Islands next month.'

Tags: Dana Petroleum