Alaska: Miller rework boosts Cook Inlet oil output

Nov. 1, 2013
Miller Energy Resources Inc., Huntsville, Tenn., said production from the Osprey platform in Alaska’s Cook Inlet is producing at more than 2,500 b/d of oil equivalent as the result of the RU-5B sidetrack well being brought online at 250 b/d of oil.

Miller Energy Resources Inc., Huntsville, Tenn., said production from the Osprey platform in Alaska’s Cook Inlet is producing at more than 2,500 boe/d as the result of the RU-5B sidetrack well being brought online at 250 b/d of oil.

Oil cut is improving daily, and the well had been producing 100% water before the sidetrack was drilled, the company said. Final measured depth of the sidetrack is 15,750 ft.

Following the RU-5B completion, Rig 35 was skidded to the RU-D1 disposal well location and a work-over successfully completed. This well will provide disposal capacity for mud and cuttings generated from future wells.

Rig 35 is being relocated from Leg 3 to Leg 2 of the Osprey platform in preparation to drill the RU-9 well, which targets the southern stepout of the Redoubt Shoal structure. RU-9, to spud by yearend, is intended to recover oil from a large four-way structure 2.5 miles southwest of the platform.

Meanwhile, the company has begun completing the Sword-1 well after drilling to 18,475 ft MD and setting 5-in. casing. While drilling the well encountered 11 third party reported hydrocarbon shows that include shows in the Tyonek gas sands, the Tyonek-G which is thought to be oil-bearing, and the Hemlock oil zone.

With many identified potential zones behind pipe, the company plans to initially perforate 168 ft in the liquid hydrocarbon zones and 66 ft in the gas-bearing zones. Third party reserve reports show 950,000 bbl of oil based on 43 ft of net pay. The company believes Sword-1 has the potential to double West McArthur River field’s reserves while providing a launch pad for drilling into Sabre, an even larger identified prospect.

Over the next several months, the company plans to initially test and produce the Hemlock formation followed by the shallower zones and will announce results once completion procedures have been performed. The rig on Sword-1 will be moved to West McArthur River Unit-8.

With state approval of the Otter Unit as a result of the company’s appeal, drilling activity was suspended on Olson Creek-1 well in order to free up Rig 34 for mobilization back to the Otter Unit to resume a time-sensitive work commitment. The company in November plans to deepen Otter-1.