Jersey Oil & Gas announces that the 20/05b-14 appraisal well has been safely drilled, ahead of schedule and within budget to a total depth of 3,784m. Based on preliminary observations during drilling, the well did not encounter Upper Jurassic sands as anticipated. As a result, contingent resource volumetric estimations for the Verbier discovery are likely to be revised towards the lower end of the initial resource estimate of 25 million barrels of oil equivalent ("mmboe") announced following the discovery in October 2017.

The appraisal well results will be fully integrated with the final processed data from the 3D seismic survey acquired in 2018 in order to evaluate the upside potential for further Verbier appraisal activity. A large part of the mapped area of the Verbier discovery, located to the north west of the 20/05b-14 well location remains untested. Additional resource potential, which was not tested with this well or the discovery well, has also been identified in a deeper horizon beneath the Verbier discovery. This, along with the Cortina prospect, will be matured with the new seismic data and be considered for future drilling.  

It is JOG's view that the Verbier oil discovery remains commercially viable at 25 mmboe and we look forward to evaluating potential future development options, including the potential to develop the Verbier discovery as part of a wider area development plan.

The co-venturers in the P2170 Licence and their respective interests are: Equinor UK Limited 70%, JOG 18% and CIECO V&C (UK) Limited 12%.

Andrew Benitz, CEO of Jersey Oil & Gas, commented:
"We are both surprised and disappointed by the results of our appraisal well. JOG remains confident that Verbier is a commercially viable development project that could be further enhanced by the potential for a new area hub development, together with undeveloped discoveries that sit in close proximity to Verbier.

Verbier has been a play-opener for JOG and we remain excited about the growth potential surrounding this valuable asset.  JOG remains well-funded to pursue our growth plans and will continue to assess various acquisition opportunities as we move forward." 

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