Dana repots the discovery of oil at the Kerloch structure in Block 211/22a NW in the UK Northern North Sea. This is the first well in Dana’s major 21 well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, which is scheduled to include 20 further wells in 2008.

The Dana operated Kerloch well, 211/22a-10 was drilled to a total depth (TD) of 12,282 feet and encountered a full Brent reservoir sequence, as predicted prior to drilling. The top of the Brent sandstone section came in approximately 60 feet high to prognosis. The majority of the Brent sequence was successfully cored and extensive electric wireline logging operations are now ongoing and nearing completion.

The well has discovered an oil column of some 116 feet in the Ness Formation and a number of oil samples have been taken. The crude oil gravity is around 32 degrees API with a gas-oil ratio in line with other discoveries in the area. The Kerloch well was designed as a slim-hole finder well with a long open hole section being drilled to TD. Given the successful gathering of comprehensive data, including cores, wireline logs, reservoir pressure measurements and fluid samples, the joint-venture group has decided not to carry out a drill stem test in this well as this would add significant cost and technical risk. There have been a considerable number of tests of the Brent sands in neighbouring wells in the area, including the 2006 East Causeway well which flowed from the Ness Formation in the block immediately adjacent to Kerloch at stabilised rates of up to 7,500 barrels of oil per day.

The Kerloch well will now be suspended to allow potential re-entry and future use. Dana holds a 50% stake in the Kerloch oil discovery and throughout Block 211/22a NW, which already contains an earlier oil discovery.

After completing operations on the Kerloch well, the Sedco-704 drilling rig will move directly to drill the Morgan exploration well in the UK Central North Sea, where Dana holds a 35% interest. Morgan is targeting a Palaeocene oil prospect in close proximity to Dana’s Greater Kittiwake Area oil producing interests.

Dana has also contracted the Ensco-100 jack-up rig to drill the Scolty exploration well (Dana 100%) in the UK Southern North Sea. The well is due to spud before the end of December and is expected to take approximately 40 days to reach the Rotliegend sand reservoir target.

In the UK Northern North Sea, Dana is on schedule to begin the Rinnes exploration programme before mid January 2008, using the Byford Dolphin semi-submersible rig. Drilling at Rinnes will comprise a well and a sidetrack as Dana is targeting two Brent fault blocks close to the Dana operated Hudson oil field.

In Norway, Dana is also participating in the Bjorn exploration well (Dana 25%), to the east of the giant Troll field. Drilling is expected to start before year-end and take around 35 days.

Commenting on the news, Tom Cross, Dana’s Chief Executive said, “We have now begun the most exciting programme of drilling in Dana’s history. The Kerloch well results are very encouraging, following on just a few weeks after discovering oil with our first well in Norway.

Dana will be drilling 3 wells simultaneously during January, with a further 17 wells planned during 2008. These wells are being focused in the UK, Norway and Egypt targeting new oil and gas reserves through an extensive and balanced exploration campaign.”

Tags: Dana Petroleum