UK: Apache Abandons Tryfan Well

UK independent Valiant Petroleum has announced that the Tryfan well in UK Block 3/17 has been plugged and abandoned following disappointing results.

The well, which is operated by Apache North Sea, was drilled earlier this month. Valiant said at that time that the well was targeting an Eocene channelized sand play in the UK North Sea, thought to have reserves of 24 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Following the completion of that drilling, Valiant now says the well will be plugged and abandoned. Drilling operations encountered Frigg and Dornoch sandstones. In the Frigg sandstone, a small gas column was found to be present.

However, this gas column is "sub-commercial", Valiant says, and will not be pursued.

Apache North Sea is the operator of the Tryfan block with a 33.34 per cent stake. Valiant Petroleum and EnQuest hold the two remaining interests, at a 33.33 per cent stake each.