Hefty flow rate reported off western Ireland

The strongest indication yet of commercial potential off western Ireland has materialized with a hefty flow rate in an appraisal well. Enterprise Oil plc, London, disclosed test results of a step-out of the Corrib gas discovery on Block 18/20 ( see map, this page [71,771 bytes] ). The well was drilled to 3,692 m TVD by the Sedco 711 semisubmersible operating in 350 m of water. The appraisal well flowed 63 MMcfd of gas through a 2-in. choke with flowing wellhead pressure of 1,306 psi from

Oct. 5, 1998

The strongest indication yet of commercial potential off western Ireland has materialized with a hefty flow rate in an appraisal well.

Enterprise Oil plc, London, disclosed test results of a step-out of the Corrib gas discovery on Block 18/20 (see map, this page [71,771 bytes]). The well was drilled to 3,692 m TVD by the Sedco 711 semisubmersible operating in 350 m of water. The appraisal well flowed 63 MMcfd of gas through a 2-in. choke with flowing wellhead pressure of 1,306 psi from Triassic Sherwood, a rate limited by test equipment.

Enterprise found Corrib in October 1996 but could not test the well because of mechanical problems. The operator said more appraisal drilling is needed before development plans can proceed. There is no production infrastructure off western Ireland.

John McGoldrick, Enterprise general manager for Ireland, said, "All the characteristics of a hydrocarbon province have been demonstrated offshore the west coast of Ireland. Further exploration drilling on similar structures will be required to assess the full potential of the region."

Interests are operator Enterprise 45%, Saga Petroleum UK Ltd. 40%, and Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Ltd. 15%.