Maersk Oil announced today that the appraisal well 22/25a-10z in the high pressure high temperature (HPHT) Culzean discovery has confirmed the presence of a significant hydrocarbon accumulation.

The Maersk Oil operated well was drilled in the UK sector of the Central North Sea approximately 145 miles East of Aberdeen to verify the extension of the original Culzean discovery well (22/25a -9z), announced in 2008.

Gas and condensate has been confirmed at an average depth of approximately 4.5 km, within the target reservoirs of Triassic and Jurassic age. The well has been tested in two intervals and delivered a rig constrained rate of nearly 40 million cubic feet of gas in addition to 900 barrels of condensate per day in each interval.

“The production test shows that the Culzean discovery has the potential to be one of the most promising HPHT discoveries in the UK sector in recent years. Looking forward, Culzean will be a key project in Maersk Oil’s long term growth plan for its UK activities”, said Martin Rune Pedersen, Maersk Oil UK Managing Director.

Maersk Oil and its partners have agreed to a further appraisal programme which includes a sidetrack well down flank to the east of the appraisal well to assess the full extent of the field. The results of this sidetrack well are expected in summer 2011 after which a further appraisal well will be drilled.

Maersk Oil as operator holds a 49.99% interest in Culzean, with partners JX Nippon UK (17.06%) Eni UK (16.95%) and BP (16.00%).