Activity around the first Eocene oil discoveries in the U.K. North Sea is starting to take off.
BP Exploration will drill a horizontal well in Forth field in Block 9/23b to help establish the feasibility of developing the 165 million bbl field with a series of horizontal wells.
Kerr-McGee Oil (U.K.) plc earlier disclosed plans to install a concrete gravity platform in Gryphon field in Block 9/18b that could form the basis of development infrastructure in the quadrant (OGJ, June 3, p. 44).
In the southern North Sea, Conoco (U.K.) Ltd. will sell its 11% interest in Caister gas field in Block 44/23a to other interest owners for an undisclosed amount of cash.
FORTH HORIZONTAL WELL
BP's well in the main section of the Forth field, to be drilled this summer, will have a 984 ft horizontal section. It will be the company's first horizontal well through unconsolidated sandstone.
Colin Maclean, BP Forth program manager, said it will be a key well that will enable the company to base its development concept around horizontal wells.
He said, "In addition to confirming the feasibility of drilling horizontal production wells in the field, it will allow us to ensure that we can use sand control equipment in a horizontal completion and assist our understanding of any production of water from the reservoir."
During the past 2 years, BP has completed a five well appraisal program on satellite structures near Forth, all in the same block.
In addition to the 165 million bbl in the main field the company estimates there are 15-40 million bbl of oil and associated gas in the satellites.
The main structure also holds about 180 bcf of gas, which will not be produced until a large part of the oil has been recovered.
BP said development of Forth will proceed after it has a full understanding of the complex relationship among reservoirs in this area of multiple Eocene sand mounds. BP's partners in Forth are Repsol Exploration (U.K.) Ltd. and Ranger Oil (U.K.) Ltd.
GRYPHON DEVELOPMENT
Kerr-McGee expects to seek approval for Gryphon field development from the U.K. government later this year.
The concrete oil production platform, the first off the U.K. in more than a decade, is planned for start-up in 1995.
Kerr-McGee envisages the field will form the basis of infrastructure for the development of other Eocene discoveries in Quadrant 9. BP said discussions have started with Kerr-McGee aimed at cost saving cooperation.
Kerr-McGee's partners in Gryphon field are Clyde Petroleum plc, Santa Fe Exploration (U.K.) Ltd., and Aran Energy Exploration Ltd.
CAISTER INTERESTS
Caister field operator will buy a 4% interest from Conoco, Ultramar Exploration Ltd. 2%, and Canadian Oxy North Sea Petroleum Ltd. 5%. That will make the division of interests Total 49%, Canadian Oxy 30%, and Ultramar 21%.
Those companies have agreed to sell their share of gas for power generation. They are negotiating with Conoco for joint development of Caister field with Conoco's nearby Murdoch prospect.
Copyright 1991 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
