PanCanadian confirms 'world class' Buzzard find off UK

July 5, 2001
PanCanadian Petroleum Ltd. Wednesday said a sidetrack well drilled on its Buzzard discovery in the UK central North Sea has confirmed a hydrocarbon accumulation "on par with the top tier" in the province with between 200-300 million bbl of oil. The sidetrack from the discovery well encountered hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir sands that matched those of the original wellbore.


By the OGJ Online Staff

LONDON, July 5 -- PanCanadian Petroleum Ltd. Wednesday said a sidetrack well drilled on its Buzzard discovery in the UK central North Sea has confirmed that it is likely to be an hydrocarbon accumulation "on par with the top tier" in the offshore province with between 200-300 million bbl of oil.

The sidetrack from the discovery well, drilled early in June, encountered "world class" hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir sands that matched those of the original wellbore, said the Calgary-based company.

The discovery well initially encountered more than 250 ft of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone with an average porosity of 24%. The sidetrack, which encountered the reservoir 4,400 ft to the east of the discovery well, has extended the oil column at Buzzard to at least 750 ft, said PanCanadian.

"Our mapping indicates that the Buzzard structure covers a large area and is only partially evaluated by the discovery and sidetrack wells," said Gerry Macey, PanCanadian's executive vice-president for exploration. "Further appraisal drilling of the untested areas has the potential to increase the currently established recoverable oil very significantly."

He said PanCanadian was planning an "aggressive" appraisal program of Buzzard with two or three appraisal wells to be drilled starting later this autumn.

The discovery well, 100 km northeast of Aberdeen, was drilled in 320 ft of water. During testing, the well flowed at rates of 6,547 b/d of light oil and 970 Mcfd of natural gas on a 36/64-in. choke.

Buzzard lies in licence P986, awarded to PanCanadian and its partners in the 18th UK Licensing Round in 1998. PanCanadian holds a 45.01% stake in the licence. Other interest holders in the licence are Intrepid Energy North Sea Ltd. (30%), BG Group PLC (19.99%), and Edinburgh Oil & Gas PLC (5%).