Crawford appraisal to resume next year

Offshore staff

LONDON --Fairfield Energy has suspended its appraisal well on the Crawford oilfield in the UK North Sea for future operations.

Although the 9/28a-18 well proved an extension of the Crawford Triassic reservoir, it was not possible to perform the planned hydraulic fracture and testing program, due to problems cementing the 7-in. (17.8-cm) liner, Fairfield says.

The partners now plan to resume drilling in the first half of next year, which could be combined with a wider Crawford area drilling campaign.

In addition to the extension to the north of the field, well 9/28a-18 also discovered oil in a separate, deeper Tertiary target with superior reservoir characteristics.

According to partner Stratic Energy, development options include an extended production test on the Triassic reservoir, and further exploratory drilling of other nearby Tertiary prospects. This could lead to submission of a development plan by end-2008.

12/11/2007