Inner Moray Firth
Caithness holds three licences awarded in the 23rd Round and
covering five offshore blocks in the northern coastal area of the
Inner Moray Firth. Caithness has 65% interest and operates. Our
partner, Reach Exploration (UK) Limited, has 35% interest:
- Block 11/24 (Licence P1270)
- Block 11/25b (Licence P1287)
- Blocks 11/23, 11/27 and 11/28 (Licence P1286)
On block 11/24 there are two undeveloped fields with proven and
probable reserves, Lybster and Knockinnon. A number of highly
prospective structures have been identified on blocks 11/24, 11/25b
and 11/28.
Caithness and Reach also hold licence PEDL 158 covering seven
adjacent onshore blocks. These blocks are not prospective but allow
Caithness and Reach to drill from the land to their offshore
blocks.
Lybster Field
In 2008, Caithness spudded the L11/24-3z development well on the Lybster field. The well was drilled from an onshore site two kilometres south of the village of Lybster. The Lybster structure is crossed by a north-east/south-west trending fault. The well appraised the area west of this fault and was suspended. In 2010, following evaluation of these results, the well was extended across the fault to twin the discovery well, which had flowed 2,000 barrels of oil per day on test. A horizontal section was drilled through the Beatrice B sandstone reservoir. After completing operations, we released the rig and brought in a coiled tubing unit to perforate and test the well. In August 2011, the well flow tested at rates up to 1,900 barrels of oil per day through a restricted choke. We are now completing plans to truck produced oil to the Nigg Oil Terminal where it will be processed and stored and then sold.
Knockinnon Field
The Knockinnon field, located in the south of block 11/24, was
discovered in 2000 by a vertical well drilled from a jack-up rig.
We have remapped the field using 3D seismic data and reassessed the
reservoir quality using the L11/24-3z well information. We have
drawn up an appraisal and development plan for the field.
Exploration
Caithness and Reach have conducted 2D and 3D seismic surveys
over these blocks and mapped a number of prospects and leads. We
plan further seismic in autumn 2011 and then an exploration
drilling programme which could find significant oil reserves.
Further acreage in the Inner Moray Firth
In the 25th licensing round, Caithness and Reach were awarded
two further licences. Caithness has 50% interest and operates.
Reach holds the remaining 50% interest:
- Block 12/22b (Licence P1701)
- Block 12/23b (Licence P1723)
These blocks have the potential for significant reserves in a
number of prospects with stacked pay.
Central North Sea
In the 25th licensing round, Caithness and Reach were awarded
Licence P1624 covering block 23/26c. Caithness has 50% interest in
the block and operates. Reach holds the remaining 50% interest.
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larger map of Inner Moray Firth assets