Independent Oil & Gas (LON:IOG) is to remap an area of the Southern North Sea in an effort that could potentially double gas reserves.
Industry experts Baker Hughes has been hired to reprocess 3D seismic data, acquired by IOG last year.
The company said the result will be a consistent set of maps across the whole Elgood, Cronx and Blythe area.
This should remove uncertainties relating to the mapping and commercial volumes in both the Cronx and Elgood discoveries, IOG added.
Chief executive Mark Routh estimates proved and probable (2P) reserves, currently 3mln barrels oil equivalent, could more than double as a result of the remapping.
Blythe could also benefit from the remapping process, as it is expected to provide a better understanding of an additional gas bearing Carboniferous formation and oil in the Hauptdolomit.
This evaluation will be carried out by IOG. The company believes that the carboniferous, which has previously tested at sub-commercial rates, could be upgraded through fracture stimulation.
“The remapping of the Blythe Carboniferous gas is also very exciting. I have experience of gas developments in the Carboniferous,” Routh added.
“The Kew field which flowed at similar rates (0.4 MMcfd from a vertical unstimulated well) produced at rates in excess of 40 MMcfd after a successful horizontal multi-zone fracture stimulated well.”
If commercial volumes of oil and gas can be demonstrated these additional horizons will be factored into IOG’ hub development strategy, the company said.
Meanwhile, IOG added that the Blythe project remains on track for the submission of a field development plan by September.
Subsequent additional remapping work may be carried out by Baker Hughes for the Skipper oil project, as well as prospective exploration areas including the Truman, Harvey and Hambleton areas.