Noble Energy Inc., Houston, will resume exploration drilling offshore the Falkland Islands in mid-2015 following the acquisition and evaluation of an extensive 3D seismic program over portions of the company’s 10-million-acre position.
Humpback, the company’s initial operated prospect, is one of multiple stacked fan prospects clustered together in the Fitzroy subbasin of the Southern Area license that combine to hold an estimated gross unrisked resource potential of 1 billion boe.
Noble is finalizing prospect locations for a second exploration well planned for later in 2015 following results at Humpback.
Mike Putnam, Noble vice-president of exploration, said, “Our recent 3D seismic acquisition has confirmed our initial thoughts that the basin contains prospects of material size with ample follow on opportunities.”
Noble also deemed noncommercial the Scotia well, drilled in 2012 utilizing 2D seismic interpretation, following evaluation of the 3D seismic data and full integration of well results into the company's geologic models (OGJ Online, Nov. 27, 2012).
Noble operates its licenses offshore the Falkland Islands with 35% interest. The remaining interest in the Scotia well is Falkland Oil & Gas Ltd. 40% and Edison International SPA 25%.
