Offshore staff
SINGAPORE – Bad weather related to the approach of tropical cyclone Veronica have halted preparations for an infill drilling program at the Stag oil field offshore Western Australia.
According to operatorJadestone Energy, the jackup Ensco 107 had reached the Stag platform location on March 15 to undergo preparations for drilling. However, both the rig and platform have since been made safe and de-manned.
Paul Blakeley, Jadestone’s president and CEO, said: “Tropical storms are expected in the area in December and through February and we plan for two to three such weather-related events annually…Though this storm is later than usual, our response in such circumstances is clear.”
Already conditions are said to be easing and drilling operations will restart once it appears safe for personnel to return offshore. Thereafter, the well should take around 34 days to drill, and it will likely be completed using an electric submersible pump and brought on production soon afterward.
Jadestone is targeting around 1.2 MMbbl of unswept 2P oil reserves in a higher-pressure area of the field, just west of the platform.
03/25/2019
