RE: Updated note for DEL - positive10 Feb 2023 09:38
Deltic Energy plc (DELT.L)
Equity Research
Peter J Dupont
0203 002 2078
p.dupont@allenbycapital.com
www.allenbycapital.com
– Pensacola licence: The P2252 licence lies approximately 75 km east of the Tees estuary
towards the northern margin of the SNS. Interests are split Shell 65%, Deltic 30% and ONE-
Dyas 5%. Since the well decision in late March 2021, Deltic has been financing its share of
well costs. Pensacola was originally evaluated by Deltic and is the first well in which it has
participated. The discovery is a vindication of Deltic’s technical capabilities.
– Drilling/test results: Well 41/05a-2 encountered the target Zechstein Hauptdolomite
carbonate formation at 1,745m and reached a total depth of 1,965m. Reservoir thickness
was 18.8m with an average porosity (ability to hold hydrocarbons) of 16%. Significantly, the
well penetrated the edge of the Pensacola structure in a down dip location demonstrating a
long hydrocarbon column. Mobile oil and gas was confirmed in the reservoir by wire-line
logging. Post acidization, 41/05a-2 flowed at peak rates of c.4.75mmscf/d. The flow rate
declined to 1.75mmscf/d after 12 hours on test. As Deltic has suggested, these flow rates are
not expected to be representative of those on future production wells which are likely to
target the central zone of the Pensacola structure. Black oil with a light API of 34-36? was
produced during test at 18 b/d. The significance of the oil has yet to be evaluated.
– Well costs: Deltic expects its share of Pensacola well costs to be £11.1m. This compares with
£7.3m intimated previously, including testing, with the variance reflecting additional
operational requirements during drilling, adverse weather conditions, additional testing
costs and adverse movements in exchange rates and inflation. We believe that the bulk of
the Pensacola well costs will be reflected in cash in 2023.
– The road ahead: Well 41/05a-2 will now be plugged and abandoned as planned. The
Pensacola project is likely to advance to the appraisal stage with appraisal drilling possible in
2024. We think a FEED (Front End Engineering Design) feasibility study is a possibility in 2025
with the development of the field and a gas export route following in 2026. In our view, the
earliest that Pensacola could comIn our view, the
earliest that Pensacola could commence commercial production would be 2027. Deltic has
indicated that, together with Shell, it is undertaking preparations for a Selene (WI 50%)
exploration well in the Leman sandstone fairway of the SNS Basin in 2024