Dana is pleased to announce that it has made a significant gas discovery at the Platypus prospect in the UK Southern North Sea.

The Dana operated 48/1a-5 well was drilled in a water depth of approximately 142 feet to a total measured depth of 11,048 feet, targeting a high quality Rotliegend age, Lower Leman prospect. The well encountered some 218 vertical feet of good quality gas bearing sands and an extensive set of wireline log data is being acquired over the reservoir section.

Preliminary analysis indicates that the reserves discovered are in line with pre-drill estimates of approximately 130 billion cubic feet of gas. The Leman is the major producing reservoir in the Southern North Sea, and Dana is already producing gas from this reservoir horizon at the Johnston, Victor and Anglia fields. The Leman is also the reservoir in the Babbage field, which is currently being developed by Dana, with first gas expected in mid 2010.

Following completion of the logging, a multi-rate drill stem test will be performed. The complete well data-set will then be fully analysed and development options assessed.

The 48/1a-5 well will be suspended for potential re-entry and future use as a gas production well. The Transocean GSF Labrador drilling rig will then immediately move to the Monkwell prospect in Block 42/29a which is also operated by Dana.