Ensign, Channon nearing development
Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK --Venture Production has spudded its second appraisal/production well on the Ensign gas field in the UK southern North Sea. Assuming a successful completion by year-end, the company aims to sanction development, leading to first gas in late 2009.
In the same region, the company has drilled an exploration well on the Channon Prospect, designed to test two Rotliegend fault blocks extending across blocks 47/3h and 47/8c. The well tested gas in both cases, at stabilized rates up to 55 MMcf/d gross, and has since been suspended for future completion as a producer.
Venture estimates net recoverable reserves from Channon at 30-40 bcf. It may seek a joint development with its Barbarossa gas discovery in block 47/9c, following the results of an upcoming appraisal/development well. The likeliest outcome is a subsea tie-back to a nearby platform.
Results from another well in this sector, on the Amanda discovery, were below expectations at 2MMcf/d. Venture may decide on a joint development here also with Agatha, due to be drilled in 2008. It is also looking at ways of improving well deliverability.
09/18/2007