Spirit Energy will become the Operator of a new Southern North Sea discovery after an encouraging exploration campaign.

The Ossian-Darach exploration well encountered hydrocarbons, in license P2133, and was plugged and abandoned during August 2019.

The well was spudded on 16 May 2019 and reached a total measured depth of 3300 metres using the Ensco 121 jack-up rig. The well encountered both gas and oil. Further appraisal is required to confirm volumes and the commerciality of the discovery.

Spirit Energy has a 35% stake and subject to regulatory approval will take on operatorship of the licence from ONE-Dyas on 1 February 2020.

Meanwhile, data from a discovery on Andromeda North, block 43/12a-3, will be integrated into the ongoing development work within the Greater Pegasus Area.

The Andromeda North exploration well, which was spudded the on 29 July with the Noble Hans Deul jack-up rig, was safely completed on 22 October 2019. Spirit Energy has a 55% operated interest in Andromeda, and alongside partner Hague & London Oil encountered a significant gas column as well as multiple moderate to good quality sandstone packages within the Westphalian A target interval on the northern side of the Pegasus West bounding fault.

The Andromeda North discovery is located in the block immediately to the west of the Pegasus West discovery currently under review for development concepts.

Anne-Sophie Cyteval, UK Subsurface Manager at Spirit Energy, said:
“We are very pleased with the results we are seeing in the Southern North Sea, and on Ossian-Darach look forward to continuing our work with our partners as we move towards operatorship of the licence.

“Each well improves our understanding of the area and we have confidence that this is an important area of the North Sea for Spirit Energy worth continued investment.”

Link to Spirit Energy UK country profile