MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Rockhopper claims first gas discovery in North Falklands

North Falkland basin explorer Rockhopper Exploration has reclassified a previous exploration well drilled by Shell in 1998, as a gas discovery and as a result has claimed the first discovery in the Falkland Islands.

The UK listed explorer said that the resultant discovery has been named the Johnson structure and is now classified as a contingent resource in licence PL032. This follows extensive re-interpretation by Rockhopper of well 14/5-1A, drilled by Shell in 1998, which encountered significant quantities of gas.

The 3D seismic collected by Rockhopper in 2007 demonstrates a previously unmapped structural closure (Johnson) which is penetrated by well 14/5-1A. In the final well report for 14/5-1A, Shell recognised 165 meters of net pay. These are the first contingent resources declared in the Falkland Islands area.

The recoverable contingent gas resources in the Johnson structure are estimated at 3.4 trillion cubic feet on a mean basis.

In addition to the contingent gas resource, Rockhopper has eight oil prospects in its operated acreage and two on non-Rockhopper operated acreage. Those on Rockhopper operated acreage could contain a total proved plus probable 998 million barrels on an un-risked basis, the company said.