Dana Makes 'Excellent' Oil Discovery in UK North Sea

UK-based independent oil exploration company Dana has discovered "good quality oil" in the North Sea, exceeding its pre-drilling expectations, the company has announced.

The full Brent reservoir sequence was discovered at the Dana-operated West Rinnes structure in Block 210/24a in the UK northern North Sea.

The well, drilled to a total measured depth of 6,470ft, found "excellent quality sands" throughout the Brent sequence, says the company.

Dana has now completed a drill-stem test of the Brent reservoir, which flowed at rates of up to 7,800 barrels of oil per day.

Following tests, the well will be sidetracked into the neighbouring East Rinnes structure.

"This is an excellent result which has exceeded our pre-drill expectations. The discovery of good quality oil at West Rinnes gives strong encouragement for a number of other prospects in this immediate area," says Dana Chief Executive Tom Cross.

Dana is set to begin drilling at the nearby East Rinnes, West Hudson, North Melville and south-west Rinnes wells.

By Ozge Ibrahim