GDF SUEZ E&P UK Discovers Gas in Southern North Sea

GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd announce a new gas discovery in the UK Southern North Sea (SNS).

The Cepheus 44/12a-6 exploration well encountered a gas column within the Permian Lower Leman Sandstone which was the primary reservoir target. The well was spudded on 9 March 2014 and drilled to a total measured depth (MD) of 12, 125 feet (11,730 feet TVDSS - total vertical depth subsea).

It was deviated north-eastwards from a top hole location in block 44/12a to the target location in block 44/12b (Licence P1731). The GSF Monarch rig is scheduled to move off location on 29th May after plugging and abandonment operations.

Jean-Claude Perdigues, Managing Director of GDF SUEZ E&P UK commented: “This is a timely and pleasing announcement of an exploration discovery near to the Cygnus development where excellent progress is being made on the installation of the first offshore structures. The discovery supports our strategy to add value to the Cygnus field through its development as a hub for the wider area and it consolidates the SNS as a core area for GDF SUEZ.”

Equity interests in the P1731 licence are operator GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd (34.48%) and partners Centrica North Sea Gas Limited (48.28%) and Bayerngas E&P Limited (17.24%).