Rathlin Energy (UL) Ltd., operator of PEDL183, has advanced activities at West Newton B onshore UK with completion of drilling and setting of conductor casing. The conductor rig was demobilized mid-September.
The steel conductor casing was set at a depth of 74 m in the Cretaceous chalk and cemented in place. The conductor provides a stable base for the main drilling rig, as well as protection for surface formations during the main drilling operation. All permits and permissions are in place to commence the main drilling and any preoperational conditions have been satisfied.
On Sept. 22, the main drilling rig and associated equipment commenced mobilization to site. The equipment will be rigged-up over a period of 1-2 weeks prior to start of drilling operations. The borehole will be drilled to about 2,000 m and is expected to take 6-10 weeks to complete while drilling 24 hr/day. Once completed, the rig will demobilize from site over a period of about 1 week.
The West Newton B-1 well is targeting the same conventional reservoirs in the Kirkham Abbey and Cadeby carbonate formations that were encountered in the recently drilled West Newton A-2 well (OGJ Online, Apr. 27, 2020). Rock samples and other data acquired during drilling of West Newton B-1 will inform a subsequent program of well testing to establish the well’s productive capability and any future drilling operations.
Reabold Resources PLC holds 56% economic interest in West Newton via its 59% holding in Rathlin Energy (UK) Ltd., the operator of license PEDL 183 (27%). Union Jack Oil PLC holds 16.66% interest.