Edale no. 1 oilwell, Derbyshire, UK, 1938

Abstract

In New Year 1938, the Edale No. 1 oilwell was drilled in the English Pennines. The target for the well was folded Lower Carboniferous limestone. This target was believed to be analogous both for trap and reservoir, to the giant oil accumulations of Iran (then Persia). The well failed. Poor gas shows were recorded at a depth of 126feet. This gas flowed at a rate of 4000ft³ day⁻¹. There were also minor indications of brown and green oil but no commercial production. Trap and seal were proven. Local seepage also proved the existence of a working source. Reservoirwas however missing. The well was drilled outwith the play fairway. Instead of penetrating massive, porous shelf limestones the well encountered thin shaley limestones, today interpreted as deep water, gravity flow deposits.

This paper recounts the geological work done before and during drilling of the well. The data, in the form of a prospect evaluation memorandum, are from the BP Exploration archive.