Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK --Planned maintenance shut downs impacted Canadian Natural Resources' UK production last year. Output decreased by 19% from 2007 levels – natural decline at the company's fields in the northern North Sea was another factor.
The company has tried to stem the decline through a program of infill drilling and workovers. It drilled 4.1 net wells during 2008 with another 1.2 net wells in progress at year-end. It also completed three workovers.
Also in the UK sector, CNR is participating in an exploratory well on the high temperature, high pressure Deep Banff gas prospect. Results are due this spring.
Elsewhere, the company expects first oil shortly from its Olowi development off Gabon. The conductor-supported platform deck was installed late in 2008, and the FPSO arrived in location last month. So far two appraisal wells and two producers have been drilled.
Off Cote d'Ivoire, the facility upgrade project at CNR's Espoir development off Cote d'Ivoire is progressing well and should be completed this summer, three months ahead of schedule.
3/5/2009
