By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 16 -- GDF Britain Ltd., operator, and its two partners have suspended a Monroe natural gas discovery as a potential producer in the Caister Murdoch System (CMS) in the UK sector of the North Sea.
The 44/17b-7 discovery well was spudded Feb. 16 and drilled to 12,611ft. Subject to the outcome of predevelopment studies, it is the partners' plan to reenter this well and tie it back to the CMS III production network operated by ConcocoPhillips (UK) Ltd., one of the partners. First production is expected by mid-2005.
GDF Britain has 39% interest in the discovery, while ConocoPhillips has 46%. The third partner is Tullow Oil UK (15% interest)
"The success of the Monroe well demonstrates the continued prospectivity of this core area and paves the way for the next phase of development of CMS. We look forward to further active exploration and development activities on this exciting trend," said Aidan Heavey, Tullow's CEO.