Operators are concerned that the U.K. Department of Transport (DoT) is putting a hold on their plans to drill wildcats in the U.K. Irish Sea.
An industry source said DoT's reluctance to approve drilling plans has caused problems for Elf Exploration U.K. plc, and British Gas plc. Elf had planned to drill on U.K. Block 108.
A DoT official denied that his department is holding back drilling because of pollution fears following the Sea Empress grounding and oil spill of last February. In a bungled salvage attempt, the tanker spilled about 70,000 metric tons of oil that came ashore along the South Wales coast (OGJ, Mar. 4, p. 41).
"An application to drill on U.K. Block 108 was refused recently," said the official, "but this was because the company planned to drill in a busy shipping lane. Our sole criterion for judging drilling plans is navigational."
Marathon, Esso activity
Meanwhile, Marathon Oil Manx Ltd. and Esso Exploration & Production U.K. Ltd. have reported progress on U.K. Irish Sea wells.
In late May, Marathon plugged its 112/29-1 wildcat as a tight hole. It was the first well drilled in the offshore area licensed last year by the Isle of Man government.
A Marathon official said only that the company is studying data from the well to determine further exploration plans in the area.
Marathon also operates Block 112/24, where its license obligation is to conduct a seismic survey contingent on success of the 112/29-1 well.
The official said the company is leaning toward caution in its assessment of well results.
Marathon found gas off Southwest Wales in 1994 with a Block 103/1 wildcat that made a find later named Dragon (OGJ, Nov. 7, 1994, p. 35).
The official said Marathon is eager to appraise its Dragon prospect but has met difficulties in obtaining approval from DoT to drill an appraisal well.
The company plans to acquire 2D seismic data on Blocks 103/6 and 106/27 near the Dragon discovery beginning in July.
Marathon also has drawn up plans to drill two wells next year-one on Block 103/6 and one on Block 106/19-on prospects near Dragon.
The well plans are not firm, said the official, because the company is in the midst of completing exploration budgets.
Farther north on Block 112/15, Esso spudded a wildcat May 28 in 150 ft of water using the Glomar Adriatic XI jack up rig. Esso said the rig will drill for 50-60 days and may remain on site for another 2-3 weeks to test any discovery.
A dedicated counterpollution vessel is to be on site during drilling.
Esso has gone to great lengths to make the public aware of its drilling plans there due to the rig's nearness to shore and the fact that blocks north of the Isle of Man are virgin territory (OGJ, May 6, p. 46).
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