Conoco plans to develop Vanguard Extensions in North Sea

Sept. 19, 2001
Conoco (UK) Ltd. will seek UK government approval for fast track development of its recent Vanguard Extensions natural gas discovery on block 49/16 in the North Sea.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Sept. 19 -- Conoco (UK) Ltd. will seek UK government approval for fast track development of a recent natural gas discovery on block 49/16 in the North Sea.

The discovery, some 80 miles east of Lincolnshire, is on what is called the Vanguard Extensions (VE) prospect.

Conoco said the field is an example of its "snuggle" exploration and development effort, the pursuit of oil and gas prospects that can be developed quickly because they are near existing processing and transportation facilities.

John Williams, Conoco UK's general manager for exploration, said, "The VE discovery is our seventh successful snuggle exploration and appraisal well in the UK since the beginning of 1998."

Discovery well 49/16-13 was drilled in 109 ft of water to 9,456 TD by the Ensco 92 jack-up last summer. It found a gross 700 ft interval in the Rotliegendes, of which 242 ft was gas bearing.

Conoco anticipates gas production from VE in the third or fourth quarter of next year. Additional drilling is planned to delineate the discovery.

Development options are being evaluated but the field will be produced through the Lincolnshire Offshore Gas Gathering System, which carries gas to the Conoco-operated terminal at Theddlethorpe St. Helen.

BP PLC is a 50% partner with Conoco in the VE project.