Neptune Energy identified Isabella as "an encouraging discovery of hydrocarbons" that encountered hydrocarbons in Upper Jurassic and Triassic sandstone reservoirs with a net pay of 64 meters, consisting of lean gas and condensate, and high-quality light oil.

"The results of the well will be analyzed to further evaluate the discovery, determine future appraisal activity and recoverable resources estimates. The well is now being plugged and abandoned," Neptune Energy stated.

The discovery was made roughly 40 km south of the Elgin-Franklin Field and 170 km east of Aberdeen.

Total operates the P1820 license with a 30 percent working interest, alongside Neptune Energy (50 percent), Ithaca Energy (10 percent) and Edison's wholly-owned subsidiary, Euroil Exploration (10 percent). 

The Noble Sam Hartley jack-up drilled the 30/12d-11 well in UK license P.1820, to a total depth of 5,557 meters in a water depth of 80 meters.

Maritime Business World