Houston-based Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA) is adding to its exploration success in the U.K. North Sea, having struck oil at its Garten prospect on Block 9/18a Area-W.

Recoverable resource from the discovery is expected to exceed 10 million barrels of light oil, which is at the high end of predrill estimates, Apache said in a news release March 23.

Targeting a downthrown structural closure, the Garten discovery well—located 6 km (3.7 miles) south of the Beryl Alpha Platform—hit more than 213 m (700 ft) of net oil pay in stacked, high quality Jurassic-aged sandstone reservoirs.

“The Garten discovery marks our fourth commercial discovery in the Beryl area in the past three years spanning several play types ranging from the Tertiary to the Triassic,” Apache CEO John J. Christmann IV said in a news release. “Apache’s strategy to focus on exploration near operated facilities is set to deliver significant production without the long cycle time of large scale projects.”

Apache said the well will be suspended as a future producer and tied back to the Beryl Alpha platform. The company is already working with the U.K. Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) to get approval to start production, which is expected in first-quarter 2019, according to the release.

“Apache has created new opportunities by consistently investing in high-quality 3-D seismic data to uncover near-field prospectivity around the prolific Beryl Field,” OGA CEO Andy Samuel said. “Modern data and the application of new technologies are key to stimulating exploration and successfully delivering the full potential of the UKCS.”

Apache has a 100% working interest in the Garten Block.

Offshore