Ithaca Energy plans appraisal well off UK

Ithaca Energy Inc., Calgary, expects appraisal drilling to begin in September at its Athena prospect on UK North Sea Block 14/18b.

Aug. 17, 2006

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 17 -- Ithaca Energy Inc., Calgary, expects appraisal drilling to begin in September at its Athena prospect on UK North Sea Block 14/18b.

The Dolphin Drilling Bredford Dolphin semisubmersible will drill a well to 9,700 ft to test Lower Cretaceous Scapa sands that flowed oil on drillstem tests of two nearby wells drilled by a former operator.

The well will penetrate the formation at an angle of 60º from vertical.

The Outer Moray Firth Block, in which Ithaca holds a 90% interest, is west of Claymore, Scapa, and West Scapa oil fields. Wimbledon Oil & Gas Ltd. holds the other 10%.