Oil and gas explorer Providence Resources said today it was marking a “renaissance of major drilling activities” offshore Ireland with a well on the Barryroe prospect in mid-November.
The firm said its 48/24-J well on the offshore southern Ireland Barryroe discovery would be the first in more than 20 years on the field.
Tony O’Reilly, its chief executive, said: “This appraisal well is the first in Providence’s multi-well, multi-year drilling programme.
“In addition to being a very important confirmation well for the future development of the Barryroe oilfield, this well also heralds the renaissance of major drilling activities offshore Ireland.
“As the first well in more than 20 years to be drilled on this accumulation, we are fortunate to be able to avail of today’s technology and market conditions to advance this project and in doing so, endeavour to deliver the first commercial oil development offshore Ireland.”
It is to be drilled using the GSF Arctic III rig with partners San Leon Energy (with 30% equity) and Landsdowne Oil & Gas (20%) and follows the award of a licence on Barryroe in the Irish Government’s latest licensing round.
A well by Marathon Oil in the area in 1990 found light sweet oil in base cretaceous sands.
AIM-listed Providence, operator and 50% owned of the field, said its objective was to demonstrate commercial flow rates of 1,800 barrels of oil per day or better.
Recommended for you
