Strong test flow rates for Shetland area Lancaster well

June 26, 2014
Hurricane Energy says the semisubmersible Sedco 712 has completed production tests on an appraisal well on the Lancaster oil discovery west of Shetland.

Offshore staff

GODALMING, UKHurricane Energy says the semisubmersible Sedco 712 has completed production tests on an appraisal well on the Lancaster oil discovery west of Shetland.

The program was designed to determine whether commercial flow rates could be delivered from a 1-km (3,280-ft) well drilled horizontally through faulted and fractured basement rock (granite) under both natural flow and artificial lift conditions.

Artificial lift was supplied via a downhole electric submersible pump, with the aim of assessing what might be expected under production conditions.

The well flowed at a maximum sustained rate of 9,800 stock tank b/d of 38° API oil, constrained by the capacity of the surface test equipment. During the tests 340 bbl of drilling brine were produced, of which 20 bbl were recovered during natural flow.

Dr. Robert Trice, CEO of Hurricane, said the rates were within the upper range of pre-drill estimates. “While the artificial lift rates are important,” he added, “the fact that the well also flowed oil at 5,300 stb/d unaided (natural flow) is a clear demonstration that Hurricane’s plans for progressing to a Lancaster field development are technically viable.

“I consider this year’s operational result to be a major step in further de-risking the company’s 2C Contingent (444-470 MMboe) and P50 Prospective (432-442 MMboe) resources.”

06/26/2014