The southern North Sea Crosgan appraisal well is to be plugged and abandoned after encountering gas bearing sands.
The Crosgan appraisal well 42/15b-3 was drilled in the Greater Breagh Area, in Quad 42. The well has reached a total depth of 8401ft measured depth and has encountered gas bearing sands in the Carboniferous Yoredale Formation with 35ft of pay in the targeted Whitby Sandstone and a further 26ft of pay in various shallow sands within the overlying upper Carboniferous section, says Sterling Resources.
The well has encountered a gas-down-to deeper than the gas-water contact observed in the offset 42/10b-2z well drilled in 1995.
The Whitby formation, however, was encountered 265ft deep to prognosis and the sand thickness is less than expected for the well. On completion of logging activities currently in progress, the well will be plugged and abandoned.
Should Crosgan be deemed a commercial discovery, the development proposal was to tie it in to the Breagh facilities, operated by RWE Dea.
Sterling Resources UK plc holds a 30% interest in the Crosgan License.