EnQuest PLC has agreed with Canamens Limited to buy two of its companies, whose assets include the 20% interest in the Kraken oil discovery.
EnQuest will pay an initial consideration of US$45 million dollars in cash and a further US$45 million in cash, contingent upon approval of the Kraken Field Development Plan (‘FDP’) by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (‘DECC’). Through this transaction, EnQuest will acquire a 20% interest in blocks 9/2b and 9/2c, including the Kraken discovery. The operator of Kraken is Nautical Petroleum plc (‘Nautical’) which estimates gross contingent resources of 160 MMboe for blocks 9/2b and 9/2c. EnQuest also acquires further potential exploration upside in blocks 3/22a and 3/26 (40% EnQuest interest) and in blocks 9/6a and 9/7b (35% EnQuest interest).
Kraken is a large heavy oil accumulation in the UK North Sea, located in the East Shetland basin, to the west of the North Viking Graben. It is being progressed to development following successful appraisal and well test results. Kraken FDP approval is anticipated in H2 2012. The operator of Kraken, Nautical, has a 50% interest, with the remaining 30% interest held by First Oil. In addition to the hydrocarbon assets, the Canamens companies being acquired by EnQuest have combined pre-trading tax deductible expenditure in excess of US$55m.
Amjad Bseisu, Chief Executive of EnQuest , said:
“EnQuest is excited to be participating in the Kraken appraisal, post the most recent 9/02b-5Z well results. Using the operator’s estimates, the Kraken blocks 9/2b and 9/2c immediately add over 30% to EnQuest’s end 2010 contingent resources. It also gives us potential upside from the surrounding exploration opportunities. We look forward to working with Nautical, the operator, to assist in taking the project forward.
He continued : “Following EnQuest’s recent sanctioning of the Alma and Galia development, our encouraging results from the Crathes exploration well, our recent farm in to the Kildrummy discovery, and now our entry into the Kraken opportunity, EnQuest is starting 2012 with strong positive momentum and an exciting portfolio of development opportunities.”
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 9, 2012; Image: Nautical Petroleum