Serica tests gas, condensate in North Sea well

Dec. 22, 2006
Serica Energy PLC, London, has completed testing the 23/16f-11 well on the Columbus prospect in the UK Central North Sea and has confirmed the presence of a "potentially commercial" gas and condensate reservoir.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 22 -- Serica Energy PLC, London, has completed testing the 23/16f-11 well on the Columbus prospect in the UK Central North Sea and has confirmed the presence of a "potentially commercial" gas and condensate reservoir. The well will be suspended for possible use in a development program.

Serica said the near-vertical exploration well encountered a gross gas column of at least 125 ft in Paleocene Forties sands. A total of 85 ft of the reservoir was tested, flowing during 5 hr at stabilized rates of 17.5 MMcfd of gas and 1,060 b/d of 47.5° gravity condensate through a 56/64-in. choke. The wellhead flowing pressure was 1,200 psi; the inert gas content was less than 2%.

Serica, operator, and partners have yet to determine the appraisal drilling program for the Columbus discovery and the full extent of the reserves. Further drilling could take place in 2007. The well is close to existing infrastructure, offering possible tie-in options.

The Columbus well was drilled on Block 23/16f, in which interests are shared equally among Serica, BG International Ltd., Endeavour Energy UK Ltd., and EOG Resources UK Ltd.

Interest assignments are subject to regulatory and partner approval of a recent transaction in which Serica exchanged with BG half of Serica's 50% interest in the block for a 25% interest in the post-Cretaceous section of part of adjacent Block 23/21, into which the Columbus structure is believed to extend. The agreement also allows for BG to participate in the costs of the Columbus well (OGJ Online, Nov. 17, 2006).