Total increases West Franklin resources in North Sea

Sept. 10, 2008
Total SA says that after drilling West Franklin-B appraisal well in high pressure-high temperature West Franklin field in the UK North Sea, it estimates that the field holds as much as 200 million boe.

Uchenna Izundu
International Editor

LONDON, Sept. 10 -- Total SA says that after drilling West Franklin-B appraisal well in high pressure-high temperature West Franklin field in the UK North Sea, it estimates that the field holds as much as 200 million boe.

West Franklin B is on Blocks 29/5b and 29/4d in the Central Graben area, about 240 km east of Aberdeen and 4 km west of the Franklin wellhead platform, from which it was drilled.

The well tested "2.6 million standard cu m/day from very good quality Upper Jurassic reservoir sands," Total said. It flowed 985,000 standard cu m/day of gas and 314 cu m/day of condensates through a 26/64-in. choke.

The field, which started production in 2007, is the deepest HPHT field on the UK continental shelf. It produces 20,000 boe/d, which is expected to increase to 45,000 boe/d.

"Following on from the recent success of the Jura development and the Islay discovery, West Franklin B will help to further extend the productive life of the UK North Sea," Total said (OGJ, Apr. 2, 2007, Newsletter).

The company said it will look at further development in the Central Graben area of the UK North Sea and plans to maximize synergies with existing Elgin-Franklin facilities.

Total is operator and holds a 35.784% stake in the field.

Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].