Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) has discovered oil in the new Darwin oil field in the Northern North Sea area near the Shetland Islands in Scotland.

According to a statement released by the company, two oil columns were discovered during the Darwin drilling programme, which commenced in November 2012.

One well has been suspended for future well testing, it said.

In February 2012, TAQA acquired a 50 per cent interest in the prospective exploration acreage known as Darwin, located South of the former NW Hutton Field. Last month, TAQA started the first oil production from the Cormorant East field development in the UK North Sea which is expected to contain 10-30 million barrels of oil in place, the statement said.

“This discovery proves that the North Sea still has great potential and that it is possible to unlock opportunity and produce growth through the use of cutting-edge technology and focused investment.

“This is an exciting and challenging opportunity and we look forward to repeating our success in safe and fast field developments,” Leo Koot, Managing Director at TAQA’s UK oil and gas business, said.

The reserves potential of the Darwin oil discoveries, in conjunction with NW Hutton Field re-development, is currently being re-evaluated, the company said.

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