By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 19 -- Exxon Mobil Corp. subsidiary Mobil North Sea Ltd. (MNSL) has made a natural gas discovery in the southern sector of the North Sea, 5 miles southeast of MNSL-operated Camelot field, about 32 miles east of Bacton, England.
A second ExxonMobil unit, Esso Exploration & Production UK Ltd., has participated in the production of first gas from Carrack gas field, a Shell Exploration & Production-operated project, also in the southern North Sea.
North Sea discovery
The discovery well found gas in the Rotliegend reservoir and tested at 65 MMcfd through a 80/64-in. choke. Data analysis and additional studies are now being conducted; these are expected to take several weeks, ExxonMobil said.
MNSL is operator of the well with 70% interest and EOG Resources Inc., Houston, holds the remaining interest.
North Sea production
Carrack field, which lies in a remote area about 75 miles northeast of Bacton off the English coast, close to the UK/Dutch border, holds an estimated 300 bcf of natural gas reserves.
The project has been developed around a central 'hub' platform that strattles the field. Four additional wells are to be drilled within the next year, with the capacity for more wells if required, ExxonMobil said.
A second, smaller platform acts as a receiving facility for Carrack gas production. These new platforms and the 50 mile Carrack pipeline will facilitate tiebacks of any future fields or exploration discoveries in the area, the company said.
Shell E&P holds 52% equity interest in the project, with Esso holding 48%.