Premier Oil said it made a commercial gas discovery at the Tolmount East well in the U.K. North Sea, adding to resources already discovered in the Greater Tolmount Area.

The well, which was targeting gas about 4 km east of the Tolmount gas field, hit 241 ft of gas-bearing high-quality Leman sands, the company said in a news release Oct. 17. Premier said the quality and thickness of reservoir sands encountered were at the upper end of expectations and no gas water contact was penetrated.

The company added the results have positive implications for other targets in the area, including Tolmount Far East and the Mongour discovery.

In addition to carrying out an LWD and wireline acquisition program, 216 ft of core was recovered from the reservoir. Premier said it plans to integrate well data with a new 3-D seismic dataset as it fast-tracks development planning for Tolmount East.

Premier Oil CEO Tony Durrant said the commercial discovery at Tolmount East will add significant value to the company’s U.K. portfolio.

“Elsewhere in the Greater Tolmount Area, we are making excellent progress with our sanctioned Tolmount development which remains on schedule for first gas by the end of next year and will add a net 20,000 to 25,000 boepd to Group production,” Durrant said.

Premier has a 50% operated interest in P1330, Block 42/28d, where the well is located.

Offshore