The gas flow rate from an upper zone at the Barryroe appraisal well in the North Celtic Sea basin offshore Ireland exceeded expectations, said Providence Resources PLC.
A 17-ft section perforated in the upper part of the basal Wealden sandstone flowed at rates of 7 MMscfd of gas and 1,350 b/d of oil, limited by surface equipment capacity, through a 36/64-in. choke with 1,700 psig flowing wellhead pressure, far exceeding expectations, Providence said.
The 48/24-10z well, in 100 m of water 50 km off Ireland in SEL 1/11, previously flowed 3,514 b/d of oil and 2.93 MMscfd of gas from a 24-ft net oil-bearing interval in the lower part of Wealden (OGJ Online, Mar. 15, 2012).
Preliminary modeling of pressure data indicates that a commingled flow rate of 17 MMscfd and 3,350 b/d at 500 psig flowing wellhead pressure is achievable, Providence said. The well is 3 km from a gas pipeline.
Providence operates SEL 1/11 with 80% interest, and Lansdowne Oil & Gas PLC has 20%. Providence has suspended the well and will move the rig to the UK.
About the Author
Alan Petzet
Chief Editor Exploration
Alan Petzet is Chief Editor-Exploration of Oil & Gas Journal in Houston. He is editor of the Weekly E&D Newsletter, emailed to OGJ subscribers, and a regular contributor to the OGJ Online subscriber website.
Petzet joined OGJ in 1981 after 13 years in the Tulsa World business-oil department. He was named OGJ Exploration Editor in 1990. A native of Tulsa, he has a BA in journalism from the University of Tulsa.