Shell Completes Seismic from UK Pensacola
Anglo-Dutch major Shell has delivered the processed 3D seismic data over the Pensacola Zechstein Reef prospect, partner and discoverer Deltic Energy said August 13. Following a farm-in, Shell is the operator of Licence 2252 in the UK southern gas basin.
The Deltic-Shell partnership is now working on updating the interpretation of the Pensacola structure and is committed to meeting its timelines under the licence terms, including the contingent well commitment becoming firm December 1.
The broadband, pre-stack depth migration data includes the new Bluewater seismic data, acquired with Shell in August 2019, merged with reprocessed legacy 3D data. The application of proprietary advanced processing technologies has delivered a robust image over the Pensacola prospect.
Under the terms of the farm-out agreement, Shell is carrying all of Deltic's costs including seismic acquisition, processing and technical workflows to support a well investment decision.
The Pensacola Reef is a significant undrilled structure which appears to be highly analogous to the Ossian prospect which was tested by the Darach Central-1 well some 45 km to the east. The well was successfully drilled and tested by ONE Dyas in 2019 and clearly demonstrated the potential for high quality reservoirs to be present within Zechstein carbonates offshore, Deltic said.
Despite the Darach results – the well found oil – Pensacola is still seen as a gas opportunity given that it is close to Breagh and hydrocarbons are to have likely been sourced from the same area, the company told NGW in an interview this summer, shortly before it changed its name from Cluff Natural Resources.
Deltic CEO Graham Swindells said he was "looking forward to continuing our work with Shell to progress the prospect towards drilling, which we expect to take place in the second half of 2021. Shell's ability to redirect the required expertise, technologies and resources to this complex processing and interpretation project, while maintaining the original timeline, demonstrates the value of having such a high-quality partner when working on an emerging play like Pensacola."
It has been a busy time for Deltic: as well as receiving very encouraging seismic analysis for another southern basin gas prospect, Selene, it has also seen off a take-over bid from Reabold Resources.