Europa Oil & Gas provides technical update on LO 16/20 Inishkea

Europa has an industry-leading and highly diversified portfolio of prospects across seven licences and licensing options (‘LO’), three basins and six play types in Atlantic Ireland. Among these, the company have been sufficiently encouraged by recent technical work to consider the Inishkea prospects in LO 16/20 in the Slyne basin and near the Corrib gas field our flagship project in Ireland. The company are now seeking to fast track technical work on LO16/20 Inishkea with the intention of delivering a new prospect inventory in H1 2019 and, subject to meeting technical and commercial criteria, identifying a firm drilling target for an exploration well in 2020.

The company are choosing to push the prospects in LO 16/20 harder however for the following reasons:

• The Triassic Gas hydrocarbon play is well understood and proven to work both technically and commercially in the Slyne basin by the Corrib gas field. Therefore, play risk is lower than in other Atlantic Ireland basins where play risk remains to be conclusively proven by a commercially successful exploration discovery.
• The company believe 2.5 tcf of undiscovered Gas Initially In Place (GIIP) is likely to translate into commercially significant prospective resources. The company understand that the recovery factor at the Corrib field is ~ 80%.
• Water depths are comparatively shallow (400 – 600 m) and do not require harsh environment sixth generation drillships therefore drill costs are lower. The company have recently conducted a drill cost estimate for a well on the Inishkea prospect and dry hole cost including mob and demob is US$28 million using a prevailing rig rate of US$120 000/d.
• Gas infrastructure is already present nearby at Corrib therefore a fast track path to commercialisation is potentially available, subject to negotiation and cooperation with the infrastructure owners.
• Gas is likely to be a significant component of Ireland’s future energy needs both for electricity generation and domestic and industrial heating.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/15032018/europa-oil-gas-provides-technical-update-on-lo-1620-inishkea/