ROCKHOPPER Exploration has made its third discovery in the North Basin. Exploration well 14/15-4 penetrated multiple reservoir targets: Beverley, Casper South, Casper and Sea Lion Main Complex and was drilled on licence PL004b. Rockhopper earned a 60% interest through the drilling of the well, which is on a licence that was previously controlled by its partner in the region, Desire Petroleum.

Rockhopper said that all four targets were hydrocarbon bearing and that no water wet sands were observed in the well. The excitement for Desire, which had a 40% carried interest in the well, is that it encountered hydrocarbons in the Beverley and Casper South (Shona) reservoirs. The well was located approximately 12.1km to the south west of the 14/10-2 discovery well and 6.3km to the south of well 14/10-9.

The well penetrated the Beverley prospect near the crest of the structure and the gross reservoir package of 27m was approximately 10m thicker than prognosed, net gas pay was 25.8m. Analysis of mud logs indicate the gas is likely to be a wet gas. Rockhopper said that formation pressure gradients indicated that the gas/oil contact observed in Casper at well 14/10-9 and Casper South at well 14/15-4 is likely to exist in Beverley. As a result, it believes Beverley may be oil bearing downdip.