Partners in the UK North Sea Isabella prospect will begin drilling a first trial well in October, one of the project stakeholders Ithaca announced on Wednesday.
Drilling of the Isabella-1 well (30/11a-7) is expected to continue for six months, based on estimates from operator Total, Ithaca said.
According to Neptune Energy, which holds 50% interest in the project, the Isabella prospect is one of the largest undrilled exploration opportunities in the Central North Sea. Total holds 30% interest, and Ithaca and Edison each hold 10% stakes.
The £51 million ($62.9 million) test well will aim to examine the presence of hydrocarbons in the Joanne Sands (principal target) and Judy Sands (secondary target), both from the Triassic age. Water depth in the area is approximately 80 meters, and the final planned depth of the well is about 5,380 meters.
A Netherland Sewell and Associates Inc. (NSAI) prospective resources report estimates prospective resources to be found in Isabella (100%) in the Best Estimate (2U) is 39.3 MMBBL of oil and 308.7 billion BCF of natural gas at the principal target (Joanne Sand), with a geological chance of success of 42%, and a further 24.1 million barrels of oil and 190.5 BCF of natural gas at the secondary target (Judy Sand), with an 18% chance of success.