Grouse flow exceeds expectations

Offshore staff

ABERDEEN, UK --Venture Production has completed a successful appraisal well on the Grouse oil field in the UK central North Sea.

Grouse was discovered in 1981 in block 21/19, but was not developed by previous operator Shell. Venture brought in the semisubmersibleNoble TVL to drill a horizontal well targeting thicker and better quality reservoir sands southwest of the discovery location.

Well 21/19-12z achieved stabilized flow rates of over 10,600 boe/d through a 32/64-in. choke which exceeded pre-drill expectations. The well has since been suspended for use as a future producer in a subsea tieback to the Kittiwake platform, connected via the Goosander satellite production riser. First oil is targeted for early 2009.

Dana will also participate next year in an exploration well on the nearby Morgan oil prospect, operated by Noble Energy. A strong result could lead to another tieback to Kittiwake.

11/19/2007