Falklands indicated oil discovery suspended

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 19 -- Rockhopper Exploration PLC ran liner and suspended for later tests its 14/10-2 well on the Sea Lion prospect, saying it could be the first oil discovery in the North Falkland basin in the South Atlantic.

The company air-freighted rock and fluid samples to the UK for study after it TD’d the well at 2,744 m because the Ocean Guardian semisubmersible is not equipped to analyze them.

Rockhopper listed the following preliminary observations:

• All samples indicated to be oil.

• The sample chambers filled rapidly, indicating a good quality reservoir with no evidence of any free water as the sample chambers filled.

• Filling characteristics suggest a mobile crude oil.

Pressure data were good, with most attempted test points successfully located in good quality reservoir, the company said:

• Pressure readings indicate the possibility of two separate oil columns.

• No oil water contacts or water sands have been recognized in the well.

Rockhopper holds 100% interest in PL032 (see map, OGJ, May 17, 2010, p. 37).