Offshore staff
CALGARY, Canada – The semisubmersible Sedco 704 has drilled and cased the final production well on the Athena field in the UK central North Sea.
According to operator Ithaca Energy, the 14/18b-A2Z well intersected 515 ft (157 m) of net reservoir in the sub-horizontal section of the well bore, which was drilled to a total MD of 15,497 ft (4,723 m).
It was drilled directionally to the northwest of the Athena field where it encountered the main Scapa A reservoir at 11,967 ft (3,647 m) MD. Electric logs acquired across the entire reservoir section of interbedded Scapa age sandstones and shales confirmed a series of reservoir sands with porosities up to 20%.
Two of the thickest, high-porosity sandstone units were encountered close to the top of the reservoir section, and these should contribute strong flow rates when the well enters production, says Ithaca. A production liner has been run across the reservoir section.
Sedco 704 will now run completion equipment and perforate this well, Ithaca’s three suspended producer wells and a water injector well.
The project remains on schedule for start-up this fall at around 22,000 b/d of oil.
Modification and recertification work continues on the FPSO BW Athena at the dry dock in Dubai. A turret docking section currently is being welded into the structure amidships, with the vessel being extended by around 65 ft (19.8 m).
It is scheduled to sail to the UK for hook up to the turret mooring buoy by the end of this summer.
06/06/2011
