Cirrus Energy Corporation says that its wholly owned subsidiary, Cirrus Energy Nederland B.V., has successfully drilled the Q14-3 exploration well to a total true vertical depth (tvd) of 3020 metres sub-sea. Partners in the well are EBN B.V. (40%) and TAQA Offshore B.V. (TAQA) (30%) with Cirrus (operator) retaining a 30% interest subsequent to a previously announced farmout agreement with TAQA.

The Q14-3 well, located in offshore Netherlands Block Q14 in 18 metres of water, was designed to test a well-defined fault block with the primary target being Triassic-aged Bunter sandstone reservoirs with secondary potential in Permian-aged Zechstein sandstone reservoirs. The primary target was encountered at 2554 metres tvd sub-sea with indications of gas during drilling and coring despite substantial mud losses to the formation. A 28m core was cut over the reservoir section. The secondary target was encountered at 2829 metres tvd sub-sea which also had indications of gas during drilling and a second 28m core was cut in this interval. Both potential reservoir sections have been open-hole logged and preliminary petrophysical evaluation indicates the presence of gas in 7.5m of net pay in the Triassic Bunter reservoir with average porosities of 11%. The secondary Zechstein reservoir appears to be gas-bearing but tight.

Partners have agreed to flow test the Bunter reservoir with results expected in approximately 10 to 15 days.

Cirrus' President, David Taylor, comments; "These preliminary results from Cirrus' first exploration well in The Netherlands are encouraging although both flow test data and further geological and geophysical analysis will be required before the economic potential of the Q14-Alpha structure can be assessed. It is noteworthy that the drilling operations, which were the first to be managed by Cirrus' internal drilling team in The Netherlands, went smoothly and were fully on prognosis and budget."

Tags: Cirrus Energy