Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, Feb. 26 -- Drilling has begun on the Guinea prospect in the central UK North Sea, Elixir Petroleum Ltd., a project partner said Feb. 26. The well aims to reach a TD of 2,150 m within the next 20 days, targeting a Palaeocene prospect in Balmoral sandstone with significant oil potential.
Fred Olsen Energy ASA's Borgsten Dolphin semisubmersible spudded the well on Block 15/13b.
Nexen Petroleum (UK) Ltd., one of the farmin partners on the block, operates the rig. It will fund 50% of the well and Gas Plus Italiana SPA, the other farm in partner, will provide 12.5% of the well's costs. Elixir has a 13.125% interest in the block, and its share of the well costs is being fully carried by Nexen and Gas Plus.
Guinea is a four way dip-closed Palaeocene prospect that lies on trend with producing oil fields to the southeast, including Balmoral and Dumbarton. The well originally was scheduled for November, but was delayed because of bad weather in the North Sea, which has affected several projects.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
