Blocks 28/9& 28/10c Catcher (Licence P1430)

This Traditional 24th Seaward Licensing Round Block is located on the West Central Platform, west of the Central Graben and the nearby Bittern Field.

The blocks contain numerous structural/stratigraphic leads and prospects at the Eocene (Caran Sandstone) and Paleocene (Cromarty Sandstone) level, plus two large Jurassic (Fulmar Sand Play) leads. Traps are defined on 3D seismic which has been reprocessed and interpreted, revealing multiple seismic anomalies.

The 28/9-1 vertical exploration well was drilled in June 2010 to a Total Depth of 5,219 ft Measured Depth (M.D.) and encountered excellent quality oil bearing reservoir sandstones at the target Cromarty Sandstone level. The discovery well encountered a 240 ft gross oil column with a net pay of 90ft.  An oil water contact was intersected at 4,840ft (M.D).   Following the discovery a reservoir test was completed.   The test confirmed the following key fluid parameters: Oil API Gravity = 30 degrees, Gas Oil Ratio (GOR) = 280scf/bbl, Oil viscosity (at reservoir conditions) = 4 centipoise.  Well test interpretation showed the reservoir to have an average permeability in excess of 1.5 Darcies. 

Subsequent to the reservoir test the co-venturers drilled the 28/9-1Z Catcher East side-track which encountered excellent quality oil-bearing sandstones very similar to those seen in the Catcher discovery well.  Analysis of the wireline logs indicated 82 ft (M.D) of net hydrocarbon pay over a gross interval of over 236 ft (M.D), with an average porosity of 34 per cent., average hydrocarbon saturation of 89 per cent. and excellent permeability.    Pressure data indicated a common pressure regime between Catcher East and Catcher confirming both discoveries to be part of a single significant oil accumulation, with an oil column of 267 ft.

Following the East Catcher discovery, the co-venturers appraised the south west of the Catcher accumulation.  The 28/9-1Y sidetrack was drilled to a Total Depth of 6,255 ft (M.D.) and successfully encountered excellent quality oil bearing reservoir sandstones at the target Cromarty Sandstone level. Initial analysis indicates a gross reservoir interval (M.D) of 449 ft, equivalent to a vertical reservoir thickness of 261 ft; a net vertical sand thickness of 121 ft; net pay of 68ft and an oil column of 173 ft.  Fluid levels are consistent with the oil water contact seen in the Catcher discovery well. 

The current phase of the Catcher area drilling programme is now complete and the Galaxy II rig will be released following completion of the current well operations. In the meantime the co-venturers are now preparing to acquire a number of new site surveys, starting this month, over additional potential drilling locations in Block 28/9. The group is also in discussions to secure a rig for an exploration and appraisal drilling programme for the Catcher area.