Australian oil and gas company Prominence Energy (PRM) has secured an award for two adjacent exploration blocks on the USA Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

PRM said it placed a bid for the Brazos Area, South Addition Blocks A87 and A90 via PRM Energy Texas, its newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary.

The blocks are located on the OCS offshore Texas in approximately 75m of water. Together they cover an area of 11,520 acres (~46km²)

With no minimum work programme, the leases have an initial five-year exploration term and the blocks can be kept by production for a 25-year period.

PRM has named the main prospect in the blocks as 'Big Apple'.

The company said that through the mapping and quantitative seismic analysis (AVO) of seismic in the blocks, it has discovered a sizable gas reserve that spans an area of between 4,000 and 7,500 acres.

During the AVO analysis, PRM found two sands with Class III AVO anomalies, which is a clear sign that the sand is gas-filled, the company explained.  

PRM plans to buy the remaining speculative seismic data to carry out in-depth mapping work of the prospect and then have it reviewed by a reserves auditor.

When it is feasible, the company plans to look for a farm-in partner to join the project on a promoted basis and begin drilling, which can be done through a jack-up rig.

PRM managing director Alex Parks said: “PRM is very pleased to have secured the Big Apple Prospect blocks with 5-year leases. The Big Apple prospect is potentially very material in size and the AVO work indicates prospectivity for gas.

“PRM holds the leases with a 100% working interest. The forward plan is to perform a detailed technical workup of the prospect and then consider seeking a farm-in partner to participate in and fund the drilling of an exploration well.”