Faroe Petroleum says that further results from the Rodriguez exploration well in PL475 (6407/1-6S) (Faroe 30%) have confirmed a significant gas condensate discovery in the Lower Cretaceous interval.

On 16 January 2013, the Company announced that hydrocarbons may be present in the well’s secondary target, the shallower Lower Cretaceous intervals, where samples had been acquired and were the subject of further analysis. The Operator has now confirmed the discovery of moveable hydrocarbons in these sandstone layers in the Lange formation, which contain an estimated gas condensate column of nine metres net pay and where it is interpreted that we have penetrated the reservoir at the edge of its lateral extent. The Operator's preliminary volumetric estimates of the size of the discovery are between 19 and 126 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent (net to Faroe c.6 - 38mmboe). This is the first exploration well drilled on the Rodriguez license PL475 and further appraisal will be required to establish the lateral extent and size of this discovery.

Faroe Petroleum already has the Fogelberg gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea, which is being matured towards a development decision to coincide with gas export capacity becoming available in the Norwegian pipeline system in a few years time. In this context, it is noted that the Norwegian Authorities have recently proposed a significant reduction in gas transportation tariffs for new gas field developments. This proposal is now in a consultation process, to be completed by 15 March 2013. If introduced, this change to tariffs would significantly improve project economics both of Fogelberg and this new gas condensate discovery.

Tags: Faroe Petroleum