The exploration well spans the GDF Suez operated block 30/1f (licence P1588) and the BP operated block 30/1c (licence P363) with both parties crowning different names for the resulting discovery.
BP called it the Vorlich discovery, while GDF Suez which operated the well drilled by the Transocean Galaxy II jack- up rig has called it Marconi.
"This is an encouraging exploration discovery in a part of the Central North Sea that needs additional volumes of hydrocarbons to open up development options for several stranded discoveries," GDF Suez E&P managing director Ruud Zoon said.
"The discovery is our third successful well this year and demonstrates a continuing commitment by GDF SUEZ to an active exploration and appraisal drilling programme on the UK Continental Shelf."
BP North Sea regional president Trevor Garlick touched on the merits of collaboration.
"As BP marks its 50th year in the North Sea and as the industry looks to maximise economic recovery from the basin, increasing exploration activity and finding new ways to collaborate will be critical to realising remaining potential," he said.
"This discovery is a great example of both."
The discovery well, 30/1f-13AZ, struck oil from a Palaeocene sandstone reservoir in BP-operated block 30/1c while a subsequent side track intersected a westerly extension in GDF's block 30/1f.
