North Sea ‘onshore’ oil and gas field is set to be tested by Union Jack Oil

Union Jack Oil has released updates on an onshore oil and gas field in Yorkshire. The field is so large it has the potential to be a North Sea discovery.

Numbers emerged in November 2019 from a suspended well, the West Newton Well. This was suspended earlier in the year to review the operation. Union Jack Oil first thought they were testing a 20-metre gas column which they later found out was 25-metres of liquid hydrogen (crude oil).

The company are sourcing regulatory approvals to re-commerce the well test. They have currently already sourced, pumping, surface separation, fluid storage tanks and other well testing equipment. Following the assessment, the well will continue to be monitored for inflow, shut in and suspended, pending further analysis.

Planning permission has been scheduled for two more well tests for Kirkham Abbey and Cadeby formations.

The announcement from Union Jack Oil repeated the updated estimates for PEDL183 licence, in East Yorkshire. The company holds nearly 17% stake of the area which is host to the West Newton A-1 discovery and the West Newton A-2 appraisal well.

The Chief Executive of Union Jack Oil, David Bramhill said,

"Although highlighted in an RNS [news release] previously, what had become apparent is the materiality of the size and scale of the liquid and gas volumes in place at West Newton, which we believe are unique to UK onshore and more representative of offshore North Sea discoveries,”

Union Jack Oil and other companies within the industry, recently raised several million pounds, ensuring they are fully funded for future work at West Newton.