Brasse continues to grow

Faroe has successfully completed the Brasse sidetrack appraisal well 31/7-2A. Very high quality reservoir sands were encountered and the well penetrated an 18m oil and a 4m gas column. Recoverable resource estimates have been increased to 56-92 mmboe (from 43-80 mmboe).

The sidetrack was drilled to a total depth of 2,275m. It is located 1km to the west of the appraisal well (31/7-2) and 2.4km to the south of the main discovery well (31/7-1). The appraisal well will now be plugged and abandoned as planned.

An extensive data acquisition programme was carried out in the 31/7-2A sidetrack, including the cutting of cores together with a full suite of wireline logs and fluid samples. Pressure data also indicates good communication within the reservoir. The data supported an increase in the recoverable resources estimates.

Faroe is now moving the development of the field forward with the aim of fast tracking the development given its robust economics at low commodity prices, which could see first oil in 2020/21.

Extensive feasibility studies have been carried out focussing on a sub-sea development tied-back to one of the hosts in the nearby area (either Brage or Oseberg Sør). This work is ongoing and external studies have already been undertaken for the Subsea Production System (SPS),  flow assurance and pipeline and marine work.  Technical and commercial activities related to the potential hosts were formally initiated in Q4 2016.

The preliminary development plan envisages three to six production wells and an optional water injection well for pressure support.  Initial flow rates from the prolific Brasse reservoir are expected to be higher than previously thought, with predicted delivery rates above 30mboepd. The early estimates of the cost of this development is c.USD550 million mid-case for a scenario consisting of four wells and one subsea template.

Faroe now plans to finalise the concept selection with subsequent submission of a Plan for Development and Operations (PDO) to the authorities in 2018.

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Brasse flow test shows promising results

Brasse was discovered in June 2016 and following a side-track, recoverable resources were estimated at 43 – 80mmboe. On 3rd July, a little after a year the original discovery was made, Faroe has reported successful flow testing achieving a maximum rate of 6,187mboepd. An upcoming side-track is planned, following which the resource estimates may be updated.

An extensive data acquisition programme was undertaken including a Drill Stem Test, logging, core and fluid sampling. The well showed excellent permeability, similar crude quality to the nearby Brage field (36-37˚ API), no undesirable components and no sand or water.

The results are positive for the future of the field and should help Faroe and its partner (each with 50% WI) in considering the development of the field. Brasse lies c.15km from both the Brage and Oseberg Sør fields and will be developed as a tie-back to one of these. The results could also provide valuable data and validation to support a farm-out which could help accelerate the development.

Source: Faroe June 2016 Investor Presentation

Source: Faroe June 2016 Investor Presentation

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Point Resources acquires ExxonMobil's Norwegian operated assets

On 29^th March 2017, Point Resources announced its acquisition of ExxonMobil's operated upstream business in Norway for an undisclosed amount (estimated valuation of c.USD1bn). The deal transforms Point Resources into a top 10 producer on the Norwegian Continental shelf and increases production c.10-fold to 48mboepd while adding 128mmboe of oil-weighted reserves. The transaction adds significant technical capability with the transfer of 300 staff to Point Resources.

Point Resources was formed in 2016 by the merger of Core Energy, Spike Exploration and Pure Energy, all portfolio companies of Norwegian E&P private equity specialist HitecVision. The merger created a company with a portfolio weighted towards exploration and development positions (e.g. Brage, Brasse, Pil) and the acquisition of the ExxonMobil assets helps to reweight the portfolio into more of a full cycle one.

The key assets acquired were ExxonMobil’s operated positions: Balder, Ringhorne and Jotun; Forseti is being decommissioned. Point Resources has identified significant upside in the asset base that can be achieved through infill drilling – likely to have been overlooked by ExxonMobil with the portfolio being increasingly immaterial within ExxonMobil’s global business. For ExxonMobil, the divestment leaves it with a non-operated portfolio in Norway and therefore a much lower country cost base, but still provides a platform to access high impact Norwegian and Barents Sea exploration.

Source: Wood Mackenzie
4D seismic has identified new development locations and exploration targets around Balder and Ringhorne

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