Rochelle appraisal results confirm commercial pay

Jan. 29, 2009
Drill stem testing of the Rochelle appraisal well 15/27-11 has achieved flow rates of 41 MMcf/d of gas and 2,300 b/d of oil condensate from a 72/64-in.

Offshore staff

LONDON -- Drill stem testing of the Rochelle appraisal well 15/27-11 has achieved flow rates of 41 MMcf/d of gas and 2,300 b/d of oil condensate from a 72/64-in. fixed choke, confirming the commerciality of the undeveloped Rochelle discovery in block 15/27 in the UK sector of the North Sea, according to Endeavour International.

The rates were achieved from a limited 20-ft (6-m) interval at the top of the 77-ft (23-m) net pay in the Lower Cretaceous Kopervik sandstone.

The Rochelle 15/27-11 appraisal well was drilled to a total depth of 10,369 ft (3,160 m) subsea approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) northeast of the 15/27-9 discovery well drilled in 2000. Endeavour acquired the Rochelle area in 2006. It lies in the Outer Moray Firth in the Kopervik sand fairway between the Goldeneye and Brodgar producing fields.

"This is a major milestone in the growth of our company as the Rochelle field development has the potential to more than double our current production," says William L. Transier, chairman and CEO. "The success of our first company-operated appraisal project reflects the quality of our technical evaluations and operational capabilities, and we intend to move quickly towards development. Our preliminary estimates indicate recoverable reserves in excess of 30 MMboe gross."

01/29/2009