Juniors Search For Deep UK Gas

UK-based Spirit Energy has spudded a well targeting deep gas layers in the UK North Sea, its Dutch venture partner Hague and London Oil (Halo) said on July 31.

The Andromeda North well at block 42/12 will reach a depth of more than 3,000 metres and is targeting 40bn ft³ of gas resources, Halo said. It should take 90 days to complete.

Spirit owns a 55% operating stake in block 42/12, while Halo has 45%. The latter which operates primarily off the shore of the Netherlands, noted that this was its first well on the UK continental shelf.

“The company is beginning to plan for a broader drilling campaign in the Southern North Sea in 2020, with Maple being the initial target having had the licence extended after our additional work last year,” Halo chairman Andrew Cochran said.

Spirit is under the majority control of UK gas firm Centrica and operates across UK, Norwegian, Dutch and Danish waters. Centrica recently revealed plans to sell the company to focus more on its core energy retail business.