Forties Charlie well starts production in UK North Sea

June 22, 2009
Apache Corp., Houston, reported that its Forties Charlie 6-3 well started oil production at a rate of 10,500 b/d in the UK North Sea.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 22
-- Apache Corp., Houston, reported that its Forties Charlie 6-3 well started oil production at a rate of 10,500 b/d in the UK North Sea. The well is the seventh development well brought on production at Forties this year. The well’s initial production rate is the field's highest since 1994, Apache said.

The newest wells are contributing to the field’s current production of more than 70,000 b/d of oil, Apache said.

“The Forties Charlie 6-3 confirmed Apache’s analysis of 4D (time-lapse) seismic and reservoir engineering data, which highlighted the potential for similar stranded oil accumulations in close proximity to the Charlie platform,” said Rod Eichler, Apache’s co-chief operating officer and president, international. “Three similar targets are among Apache's current inventory of 79 drilling targets at Forties.”

An eighth well—the Forties Alpha 2-5—recently logged 115 ft of high-quality pay in the Delta-Echo Channel and the Upper Main sands. The well is being completed and is expected to commence production by July 1.

Since acquiring Forties in 2003, Apache has invested more $1.2 billion towards infrastructure-related projects that have significantly improved the field's operating efficiency and process system reliability. At the time of the acquisition, Forties was producing about 40,000 b/d of oil.

Apache owns a 97.14% interest in Forties, which is the largest single oil accumulation discovered and is currently the second-highest producing field in the UK sector of the North Sea.