(Aberdeen) ExxonMobil is looking to prolong production from the Beryl field in the UK North Sea beyond 2016, the forecast depletion date. Studies late last year suggested that by upgrading existing drilling equipment on the Beryl Alpha platform, the company could access attractive satellite targets over 15,000 ft away via extended reach wells.

According to Beryl Operations Superintendent Harry Salter, "Much will depend on the success of the initial wells we drill, but this upgrade project should give us three or four years' additional drilling."

05-28--06