Ireland: Providence’s Seismic Inversion Study Shows Significant Barryroe Reservoir Potential

Providence Resources P.l.c., the Irish oil and gas exploration and production company, whose shares are quoted in London (AIM) and Dublin (ESM), provides a technical update on the Barryroe oil discovery in the North Celtic Sea Basin, offshore Ireland. Providence (80%) operates Barryroe on behalf of its partner Lansdowne Oil and Gas plc. The area lies in c. 100 metre water depth and is c. 50 km off the south coast of Ireland.

In March 2012, Providence announced the successful flow testing of both oil and gas from the 48/24-10z appraisal well. This 48/24-10z well was the 2nd well to be tested in the basal sands and the 6th well to be drilled on the Barryroe oil discovery, in which all wells have successfully logged hydrocarbons. In addition to carrying out comprehensive flow testing, significant data acquisition was also carried out utilising modern wire-line equipment. The objective of the 48/24-10z appraisal well was to capture the most comprehensive amount of data that could be used in conjunction with the data from the 5 previously drilled wells (most of which were drilled in the 1970’s, and one was drilled in 1990) as well as the 3D data from the 2011 seismic programme.

The newly acquired wire-line log data have now been used to evaluate the potential to directly map the hydrocarbon bearing basal reservoir sands, which were successfully tested in the most recent Barryroe 48/24-10z well. Geokinetics, a US based seismic processing company, has carried out an evaluation of the seismic response of the main basal hydrocarbon bearing reservoir interval. This modeling has confirmed that the basal reservoir sandstone package has a defined seismic response which can be detected clearly within the inverted 3D seismic volume. A preliminary review of the inverted 3D seismic volume indicates that the reservoir sequence is widely developed in the Barryroe area. Detailed interpretation of the inverted seismic data has now commenced and will be used to better define the static oil in place estimates for the Barryroe accumulation. The results from this work are expected later this summer.

Speaking today, John O’Sullivan, Technical Director of Providence said, “The results of the most recent seismic modeling and inversion are exceptionally encouraging as they confirm our ability to seismically image the Barryroe basal sandstone package, which tested at such great rates in the recent well. This materially helps in the mapping of the Barryroe licence area. The preliminary work also confirms that the reservoir is widely developed, which is very positive both in terms of incremental resource potential as well as our ability to accurately assess its distribution.”

Providence Resources Plc is an Irish based oil and gas exploration company whose shares are traded on the London AIM market and on Dublin’s ESM market. Providence’s portfolio of production, appraisal and exploration assets includes licence interests in Ireland (offshore) and the United Kingdom (onshore & offshore). In 2011, Providence, along with its partners, commenced a circa $500 million multi-year drilling programme on a number of exploration and development wells in 6 different basins offshore Ireland. This programme represents the largest drilling campaign ever carried out offshore Ireland.

The Barryroe licence lies directly below the Seven Heads Gas Field and has previously been successfully tested at flow rates of 1,300 and 1,500 BOPD from the Middle Wealden and 1,600 BOPD from the basal Wealden, from three exploration and appraisal wells. The reservoir sands are of Cretaceous Middle and Lower Wealden age located between c. 4,500’ TVDSS and 7,550’ TVDSS. The oil is light (30 to 42o API) with a wax content ranging from 12 to 22 per cent. Providence holds an 80% interest in the licence and operates on behalf of its partner Lansdowne Oil and Gas Plc (20%).

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Subsea World News Staff, May 10, 2012; Image: Providence