BG Group PLC drills successful appraisal wells on North Sea Blake Flank

Nov. 8, 2001
BG Group PLC has drilled two successful appraisal wells on the Blake Flank structure in the outer Moray Firth area of the North Sea, 64 miles off Aberdeen. The wells were spudded Sept 17.

By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Nov. 8 -- BG Group PLC has drilled two successful appraisal wells on the Blake Flank structure in the outer Moray Firth area of the North Sea, 64 miles off Aberdeen. The wells were spudded Sept 17.

Tests at the first zone, over the Coracle Formation, flowed 2,450 b/d on a 56/64-in. choke. The second test was designed to determine the productivity of the overlying Captain sands; it flowed 3,000 b/d on a 1-in. choke.

BG is drilling a sidetrack, 13/24a-8, to confirm volumes within the structure. If it proves successful, BG and partners intend to fast-track the Blake Flank development.

The Blake Flank structure lies northeast of the Blake Channel structure, which was brought on stream by the Blake field owners in June 2001. BG is the field operator and holds 44%; Talisman Energy UK Group, a subsidiary of Canada's Talisman Energy Inc., 53.6%; and Paladin Resources PLC, 2.4%.

The Blake field started production in June 2001, 18 months after project sanction. It has estimated gross field reserves of 70 MMboe, and has reached a peak flow of 60,000 b/d.