Subsequently, AED drilled two additional sidetracks from the well in a bid to understand the geology better.

Several sands of variable thickness were encountered, interpreted to be the thinning of the South West Puffin-UK1a sands in this area.

AED said most of these sands were found to be oil-bearing.

“Several reservoir pressures were taken, with the conclusion that some of these sands could be connected to the UK1a sand encountered in Puffin-9, showing continuity of a larger oil accumulation,” the company said.

“The results from this well and additional seismic reprocessing will be integrated to formulate a forward development plan for the Puffin South West region.”

Having decided to suspend the Puffin-10 well, AED is also deciding whether to re-enter the Puffin-9 well, which successfully discovered oil in both the UK1a (6m) and the LK1a (2.5m) sands, or drill an additional well in that region.

“The aim of re-entering Puffin-9 would be to drill a horizontal-slant well, developing both oil-bearing sands,” the company said.

“This drilling plan is subject to the availability of suitable drilling and installation vessels, expected availability in the second half of 2008.”

Production could potentially occur with a flowline connection to the Front Puffin in the northeast or as a standalone development using the Modec Vessel.

AED said it remained confident of a development in the southwest region of the field.

The next offtake from the northeast production facility will occur in the next couple of days.