Deltic Energy today announces a significant increase in its estimate of oil and gas resources for the Pensacola discovery on Licence P2252 (Deltic WI: 30%). This increase, based on Deltic's post well analysis, is nearly double initial expectations.

Highlights

• Following post well analysis, Deltic now estimates the Pensacola structure to contain gross P50 initially in place volumes of gas and oil of 342 million barrels of oil equivalent.
• This analysis indicates Pensacola may contain almost double the volume of recoverable gas and oil than originally thought, with Deltic now estimating total gross P50 Estimated Ultimate Recovery ('EUR') of c.99mmboe, up from 50mmboe immediately after well completion.
• Significantly, Deltic now estimates Pensacola contains material volumes of oil, representing c. 30% of the combined recoverable hydrocarbons.
• Work is progressing with partners to develop the appraisal and development programme for Pensacola with an appraisal well continued to be targeted for late 2024.
• Deltic is pursuing monetisation options for the discovery in line with its strategy.

Graham Swindells, Chief Executive of Deltic Energy, commented:    
"The Pensacola oil and gas discovery is transformational for Deltic. Well data indicates that Pensacola contains close to double our original estimate, representing one of the most significant discoveries in the North Sea in many years."

"This is an outstanding result for Deltic. Our success to date reinforces the quality of our technical team and the Deltic model of taking licences from award through to successful drilling."

"We look forward to working with our JV partners to continue moving this exciting asset through the appraisal phase and onward towards development. With the significant additions to our resource base, we will also continue to pursue monetisation options in line with our stated strategy."

Volumetric Update - Oil and Gas Initially in Place   

Deltic has updated its volumetric assessment of the Pensacola discovery based on data collected from the 41/05a-2 well and the results of lab testing. This represents a significant increase in estimated initially in-place gas and oil volumes, as set out below:

*Associated gas is gas dissolved within the oil deposit
** Gas is converted at 5.98 BCF to 1 MMBOE

Licence P2252 which contains the Pensacola discovery is operated by Shell

While the expected presence of oil in the south of the prospect represents highly material upside, the discovered gas volumes in the northern part of the Pensacola prospect are better constrained and therefore the gas is still likely to be the initial focus of near-term appraisal and development activity.

Preliminary Development Plan and Recoverable Oil and Gas Volumes

Based on preliminary reservoir engineering work completed by Deltic, a range of potential development scenarios have been assessed to allow an estimation of recoverable volumes which could be produced from the Pensacola discovery. In all of these scenarios it has been assumed that hydrocarbons will be exported via a new offshore installation and pipeline to Teesside.  Based on these scenarios Deltic estimates the range of potentially recoverable oil and gas associated with the Pensacola discovery as follows:

* Gas is converted at 5.98 BCF to 1 MMBOE

Licence P2252 which contains the Pensacola discovery is operated by Shell

Post Well Analysis

Interpretation work by the JV team following the post-well analytical programme has reinforced the conclusion that thicker and better quality Hauptdolomite reservoir is present across the crest of the Pensacola Reef, which will be targeted in future appraisal and development drilling.

The Hauptdolomite cores collected at the well location have an average porosity of 18.8% with a maximum permeability of 40mD (average of 6mD), better than the reservoir quality initially estimated from wireline logs.  Dynamic reservoir modelling by Deltic indicates that the reservoir quality encountered at the well location would support commercial flow rates from horizontal wells, without requiring any improvement in reservoir quality up-dip.

Next Steps

Deltic continues to work closely with the Licence Operator and our JV partners to develop the appraisal programme for the Pensacola discovery. Subject to JV and other regulatory approvals, the drilling of an appraisal well on Pensacola is continued to be targeted for late 2024. In parallel, the JV will undertake various studies to define optimal development plans for the Pensacola discovery.

In line with the Company's stated strategy, Deltic has also commenced a formal process to pursue the value crystallisation options that exist for the Pensacola discovery which may involve monetisation and/or farm down of its equity interest in the Pensacola discovery.

KeyFacts Energy: Deltic Energy UK country profile