From Rijswijk (JS): Shell is planning to drill around 20 deepwater exploration and appraisal wells in 2015, roughly on a par with activity levels in 2014, Ceri Powell global head of exploration told SEN at a briefing at the company’s learning centre in Holland.

The company is hoping for a repeat of its ‘stellar’ year in exploration in 2014. Several wells will be drilled in the Shell heartland of the Gulf of Mexico, while an appraisal of the Leopard-1 pre-salt gas discovery off Gabon will be high on the agenda.

Timing of the Gabon follow-up well depends on the availability of the drillship Noble Globetrotter II, which is currently drilling the Ôile-1 wildcatd in 2,093m of water in the Black Sea off Turkey for Shell in partnership with TPAO. Start-up is anticipated in Q3.

Shell is also taking its first steps in deepwater exploration in Myanmar and Namibia, where seismic acquisition has recently been completed. Exploration off South Africa has been put on hold for the time being, however, due to an uncertain regulatory environment.

Powell highlighted Shell’s successes in 2014: 11 major finds plus 41 near-field discoveries. Overall in 2014, there was an 80% success rate, twice the industry average.

Shell made nine finds in Malaysia last year including Rosmari and Marjoram gas strikes, which together contain more than 200mmboe. Overall 300mmboe were added to the Shell portfolio, ‘probably the best year ever for our geologists and geophysicists in Malaysia.’

They also had a 100% track record in near-field exploration with five successes.

GoM comes good

In the Gulf of Mexico, Shell has made major deepwater discoveries in the last 12 months, including the 100mmbbl Rydberg (31/09) oil discovery, Kaikias, Gettysburg and Power Nap which is still drilling.

Powell said the success rate has been fuelled by Shell’s capabilities in technology and innovation. ‘It’s about more brain cells per barrel,’ she added.

Offshore