LICENCE RELINQUISHMENT REPORT
UKCS LICENCE : P.033
Vanquish Area
ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited
SEPTEMBER, 2011
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Relinquishment Report: P.033
1. Header
License:
Round:
License Type:
Block:
Operator:
P.033
First
Traditional
49/16a “Vanquish” area
ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited
Equity in relinquished acreage:
Block / Subarea
Equity Holder
Equity Holder's
Group
Interest
49/16a VANQUISH AREA
ARCO BRITISH LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
4.72
BP EXPLORATION
(ALPHA) LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
10.28
BRITOIL PUBLIC LIMITED
COMPANY
BP EXPLORATION
52.91
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
EOG RESOURCES
UNITED KINGDOM
LIMITED
EOG RESOURCES INC.
25
7.09
Equity in retained portion of License P.033:
Operator: ATP Oil & Gas (UK) Limited, Operator’s Group: ATP Oil & Gas
Corporation
Block / Subarea
Equity Holder
Equity Holder's
Group
49/12a WENLOCK
ATP OIL & GAS (UK)
LIMITED
EDF PRODUCTION UK
LTD
ATP OIL & GAS
CORPORATION
EDF GROUP
Interest
20
80
Operator and Operator’s Group: ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited
Block / Subarea
Equity Holder
Equity Holder's
Group
49/12a VIKING NORTH AND
REST
BRITOIL PUBLIC LIMITED
COMPANY
BP EXPLORATION
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
50
BP EXPLORATION
OPERATING COMPANY
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
50
BRITOIL PUBLIC LIMITED
COMPANY
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
EOG RESOURCES
UNITED KINGDOM
LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
25
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
EOG RESOURCES INC.
25
49/16a ALISON/KX FIELD
AREAS (AREA I)
49/16a AREA A - VIPER
AREA
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Interest
50
49/16a GANYMEDE
EXTENSION
49/16a NORTH VALIANT
FIELD AREA (AREA C)
49/16a REST OF BLOCK
(AREA A)
49/16a SOUTH VALIANT
FIELD AREA (AREA H)
49/16a VALKYRIE
PROSPECT (AREA N)
49/16a VANGUARD FIELD
AREA (AREA B)
49/16a VISCOUNT &
VAMPIRE FIELDS (AREAS M
& L)
49/17a REST OF BLOCK
49/17a REST OF BLOCK
INCLUDING JUPITER
49/17a VICTOR FIELD
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
ESSO EXPLORATION
AND PRODUCTION UK
LIMITED
STATOIL (U.K.) LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
EXXONMOBIL
INTERNATIONAL
20
STATOILHYDRO ASA
30
BP EXPLORATION
(ALPHA) LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS
DEVELOPMENTS
LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
50
BRITOIL PUBLIC LIMITED
COMPANY
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
50
BP EXPLORATION BETA
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
50
BRITOIL PUBLIC LIMITED
COMPANY
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
EOG RESOURCES
UNITED KINGDOM
LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
25
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
EOG RESOURCES INC.
50
BP EXPLORATION
(ALPHA) LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
50
BP EXPLORATION
(ALPHA) LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
30
BP EXPLORATION BETA
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
20
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
30
BRITOIL PUBLIC LIMITED
COMPANY
CONOCOPHILLIPS
LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
ESSO EXPLORATION
AND PRODUCTION UK
LIMITED
STATOIL (U.K.) LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
EXXONMOBIL
INTERNATIONAL
20
STATOILHYDRO ASA
30
CALENERGY GAS
LIMITED
CENTRICA RESOURCES
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
THETA LIMITED
DANA PETROLEUM (E&P)
LIMITED
ESSO EXPLORATION
AND PRODUCTION UK
CALENERGY GAS
(HOLDINGS)
CENTRICA RESOURCES
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50
25
20
50
5
30
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
DANA PETROLEUM PLC
20
EXXONMOBIL
INTERNATIONAL
25
10
LIMITED
49/17a VICTORIA AND
VIKING B AREA
49/17a VISCOUNT FIELD
AREA (AREA M)
RWE DEA UK SNS
LIMITED
RWE DEA UK HOLDINGS
10
BRIDGE ENERGY (CNS)
LIMITED
BRIDGE ENERGY (SNS)
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
BRIDGE ENERGY ASA
25
BRIDGE ENERGY ASA
50
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
25
BP EXPLORATION
(ALPHA) LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION BETA
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS
PETROLEUM LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
BP EXPLORATION
30
BP EXPLORATION
20
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
CONOCOPHILLIPS (U.K.)
LIMITED
30
20
Work Programme Summary:
1st Round License awarded 17th September 1964.
Work Obligation: Seismic acquisition plus 6 wells.
2. Synopsis
The part-block that was relinquished in 2010 was a follow on to DECC’s 1st Round
License Extensions initiative. The area around the 49/16-15 “Vanquish” discovery had
been protected under a PPA status until the 31 December 2010 to enable a decision to be
made [by Silverstone] regarding their plans to submit an FDP. Those plans were not
forthcoming, and a commercial deal was completed where SEL transferred their
earned equity to BP and EOG. Consequently the current ownership of this area
became ConocoPhillips (UK) Limited 25%, BP 67.91% and EOG 7.09%. Both BP
and EOG approved the return of this acreage to DECC.
3. Exploration Activities
Seismic: Block 49/16 was originally covered by 2D seismic acquired and processed
in 1983 by SSL. A subsequent 2D seismic survey was acquired in 1987 by GSI and
processed by Prakla.
The Viking 3D 1993 survey covers parts of blocks 49/11, 12, 16, 17 and 18. It was
shot by Geco-Prakla in 1993-1994 and was processed by Western Atlas in 19941995. Post Stack Depth Migration was performed in 1997 by Conoco. Further
reprocessing was completed by Veritas in 2000: SNS Pre-Stack Depth Migration
Phase 1. The Viking Jx 3D survey is largely confined to block 49/16. This was shot
by Geco in 1994 and processed by Western in 1994/95. Post Stack Depth Migration
processing was completed by Conoco in 1998. Further reprocessing by Veritas
occurred in 2001: SNS Pre-Stack Depth Migration Phase 2/3, which was merged to
Phase 1 (above).
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Wells: Approximately 40 exploration wells & sidetracks have been drilled to
date in P.033 resulting in the significant discoveries of Viking and Viking
satellites, Vampire, Valkyrie, Viscount, Vanguard, North Valiant and Vixen. In
49/16 alone, 18 exploration wells/sidetracks were drilled, 2 of which were dry.
Most recently, and specific to this relinquishment, the sub-commercial Vanquish
discovery (49/16-15) was drilled by Silverstone Energy Ltd. in 2006.
4. Prospectivity Analysis:
A) Reservoir:
The reservoir horizon of interest in this area is comprised of aeolian sandstones
of the Rotliegendes Group. Reservoir quality is seen to be a function of
lithotype, depth of burial and the degree of diagenesis that the reservoir has
undergone. In the Vanquish well, reservoir quality, particularly of the midreservoir section, was significantly degraded compared to offset wells and
comprises a silty-sandstone with lower than expected porosity and
corresponding high water saturations. Although the pre-drill risk was column
height, the post-drill reservoir thickness was as predicted.
B) Source:
The primary source rock for the Rotliegendes Fields is the prolific Carboniferous
Coal Measures.
C) Seal:
The overlying Zechstein salts and anhydrites provide top and side seal across
the area.
D) Trap:
The primary trap type throughout this area is either 4 way dip closure or 3 way
with fault closure. The Vanquish trap was a 4 way dip structure and came in
within 20ft of prognosis.
E) Remaining prospectivity:
The relinquished area of this licence includes this 1 sub-commercial discovery
well. The Vanquish discovery sits in a downthrown position from Valkyrie Field,
and is the only robust structural closure in the relinquished area as can be seen
on the enclosed Top Rotliegendes depth structure map (Figure 3).
F) Vanquish Overview:
ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited farmed out their interest in this prospect to
Silverstone Energy Ltd in 2005. The prospect was close to existing
developments and within a proven high permeability / high productivity play
fairway. Key pre-drill uncertainty for the prospect was column height which would
have a direct bearing on commerciality. 49/16-15 was drilled in March 2006 and
whilst the Top Rotliegendes came in within 20ft of prognosis, the reservoir
quality (in the mid reservoir section) was found to be significantly degraded when
compared to the nearby wells. The other 3 wells close by do not exhibit this
phenomenon. Gross Rotliegendes reservoir thickness was as predicted, but with
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reservoir quality significantly lower than expected the interstitial water saturation
was correspondingly high. The well was subsequently plugged and abandoned.
SEL requested and were given PPA (Possible Producing Area) status around
this discovery. Since then SEL have been taken over by Bridge NS but have not
progressed the development of this area, to the extent they have since traded
out of the opportunity.
5. Reserves Summary:
It is the opinion of ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited that all commercially
prospective accumulations have now been drilled within 49/16a.
6. Clearance:
ConocoPhillips (UK) Limited confirms that DECC may publish any or all data
contained here-in.
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7. Maps & Figures:
Figure 1: Location Map (Quad 49 South)
Block 49/16
In Licence
P.033
Figure 2: Relinquished Acreage: “Vanquish” Area of 49/16a
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Figure 3: Rotliegendes Depth Map, Vanquish Area
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Figure 4: Illustrative Seismic Time line – Block 49/16a
South
North-east
B
B Tertiary
B Chalk
B Chalk
T
T Triassic
Rot
Rot Halite
T Brock
T Brock
T Platten T Platten
T
Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Vanquish
Vanquis
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Viking Viking Kx
Rotliegend