Falkland Islands: Ninky finds poor reservoir rock

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 18 – Desire Petroleum PLC said the 14/15-3 well on the Ninky prospect in the North Falkland basin encountered two sand-prone sections with generally poor reservoir quality despite oil shows throughout both.

The well went to 2,620 m total depth in the Barremian source rock interval. The two sections are in the Upper and Middle F2 intervals at 2,323-34 m and 2,365-89 m, respectively, which were the primary targets.

Reservoir quality is generally poor with only 5.6 m of net reservoir with 13% average porosity. A 1.2-m interval at the top of the Middle F2 zone is interpreted to be oil bearing from log analysis. No valid pressures were obtained, indicating that the reservoirs are low permeability at this location.

The depositional model suggests these sands are sourced from the east and therefore better reservoir quality may be expected downdip. In addition, there are indications from seismic of further sands along strike on the Ninky structural high that were not penetrated in this well. These opportunities will be evaluated with the new 3D seismic as part of Desire’s prospect inventory update.

The 3D seismic survey with Rockhopper Exploration PLC is nearly complete. Priority areas have been identified in the East Flank play between Ninky and Sea Lion and over the Ann/Orca South prospect. Processed data from the priority areas is expected to be available in July. Full, merged data will be available later in the year with coverage over the southern part of the East Flank play and the Helen prospect (see map, OGJ, Nov. 1, 2010, p. 61).