Offshore staff

CALGARY, Canada – Sterling Resources Netherlands has started drilling an appraisal well on block F17a in the Dutch North Sea, using the jackup Maersk Resolute.

This is Sterling’s first well in the Dutch sector. Results are expected later this month.

F17a is one of four F-Quad blocks in which the company has a 25% interest, 80 km (49.7 mi) offshore in a water depth of 45 m (147 ft).

The shallow horizons in the blocks contain four oil discoveries, with several wells testing oil at rates of up to 4,800 b/d, with API gravities of more than 30°.

The accumulation in F17a was originally discovered in 1982 by NAM via well F17-03, and was successfully appraised with well F17-07 in 1984.

Stephen Birrell, Sterling’s VP and General Manager Netherlands and France, said: “This well is intended to define the extent of the oil accumulation discovered 29 years ago. We have already initiated conceptual development design work for an offshore production system should this well and others in the area prove to be successful.”

01/06/2012