The new discovery is said to be located close to existing infrastructure. Credit: Berardo62.

Azinor Catalyst has reported an oil discovery at its 9/14a-17B exploration well and associated side-track on the Agar-Plantain prospect in the UK North Sea.

The company noted that the initial 9/14a-17B well, which was drilled by the Transocean Leader semi-submersible drilling rig, encountered excellent quality oil and water-bearing sands.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

As the wellbore delineated the eastern extent of the hydrocarbon discovery, the licence partners drilled the contingent Agar side-track to further appraise the discovery.

The side-track has hit a 20m interval of quality oil-bearing sands.

Located close to existing infrastructure, the discovery is estimated to contain recoverable resources ranging between 15 and 50 million barrels of oil equivalent (Mboe), based on a preliminary analysis.

“Given the proximity to local infrastructure, the shallow reservoir depths and significant upside on the block, this is shaping up to be a highly attractive project for us.”

With a 25% interest, well operator Catalyst added that further analysis will be required to establish the quality of the oil.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Azinor Catalyst managing director Nick Terrell said: “Given the proximity to local infrastructure, the shallow reservoir depths and significant upside on the block, this is shaping up to be a highly attractive project for us.”

Cairn Energy’s wholly owned subsidiary Nautical Petroleum owns a 50% stake, while the remaining 25% is held by Faroe Petroleum.

Cairn stated that the partners will carry out further evaluation of development options to establish commerciality.

Catalyst is currently working on plugging and abandoning the Agar-Plantain well.

In 2014, the company made the Agar discovery with the 9/14a-15A exploration well, which encountered a 33ft column.

Cairn farmed into licence P1763 with Azinor Catalyst in June, which saw the acquisition of a 25% interest within the greater licence area and a 50% stake in the Sole Risk Area that comprises Plantain-Agar.