Independent starts Phase 1 UK Southern North Sea drilling campaign

Independent Oil & Gas (IOG) has drilled Elgood well 48/22c-7 in Block 48/22c in the UK Southern North Sea. The well is the first in the Core Project-Phase 1 development of three fields: Southwark, Blythe, and Elgood.

The well was drilled horizontally through the reservoir section to 15,472 feet measured depth (MD), intersecting 1,080 feet of high-quality Permian Leman sandstone reservoir between 14,290 feet MD and 15,370 feet MD, with a 91% net-gross ratio, 12.4% porosity, and 13.3 milliDarcies (md) average log-derived permeability (versus 5 md P50 prediction).

The well was cleaned up and flow tested. Test rates were ahead of expectations, with a maximum rate of 57.8 MMscfd gas and 959 b/d condensate through a 80/64-in. choke, constrained by surface facilities on the Noble Hans Deul jack-up rig.

Elgood field is planned as a subsea tieback via a 6-inch pipeline to the platform at Blythe once the single development well at the latter has been drilled. The subsea tree will be controlled via an umbilical being installed over the coming weeks.

The rig is expected to mobilise within the next week to Blythe where it will drill a development well through the Blythe platform before moving on to Southwark.

Due to the extended duration at Elgood, the Blythe well is expected to be completed by October, and Phase 1 first gas is expected in this year’s fourth quarter.

IOG is 50% owner and operator of Core Project-Phase 1. CalEnergy Resources (UK) Ltd. holds the remainder.

Source: Oil & Gas Journal