Operations in United Kingdom
Chablis
Block 48/17d – Chablis Discovery, Southern North Sea
Serica 65% (operator), Hansa 35%
Block 48/17d covers an area of approximately 27 square kilometres in the Southern North Sea. It was awarded to Serica in the UK 24th Offshore Licensing Round and contains prospects analogous to the Chablis discovery in the adjacent Block 48/16b. The Chablis discovery well 48/16b-2 was drilled in 2002 by ConocoPhillips and the Chablis appraisal well 48/16b-3 was drilled by Serica and its partner Hansa Hydrocarbons Limited (“Hansa”) in 2009.
The 48/16b-3 well found gas-bearing Rotliegend sandstone reservoir of better quality than in the 48/16b-2 well. However, the pay zone was thinner than expected and the well was plugged and abandoned. Given the significant annual rental fees for Block 48/16b and the low chances of commercial development, Serica elected to withdraw and has relinquished its interest in Block 48/16b to Hansa, which originally earned its 35% interest from Serica under the terms of a farm-in agreement relating to well 48/16b-3.