Lundin drilling at UK's Thistle after 20 years

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 26 -- Lundin Petroleum AB, Stockholm, has resumed drilling at Thistle field in the UK North Sea for the first time in more than 20 years.

Lundin identified a number of drilling and workover opportunities to recover a further 13.1 million boe in proved and probable reserves as the result of a 3D seismic survey shot in 2008. The program is expected to last several years.

Thistle field, under water injection, averaged 3,800 boe/d in calendar 2009. Three production wells and one workover are planned in 2010.

Lundin last year agreed to provide Thistle facilities services to nearby Southwest and West Don fields, which both came on stream in the first half of 2009. Thistle is expected to receive first oil from the South West and West Don fields in this year’s first quarter.

Thistle redevelopment, which includes the Deveron satellite 3 km west, follows a $170 million investment in the fabric and integrity of the asset. The investment included an $80 million reactivation and improvement of the platform rig, including installation of a top drive.

Thistle, mostly in Block 211/18a, went on production in 1978 from Middle Jurassic Brent Group sandstones at 9,000 ft. Redevelopment began in 2007. Deveron went on production in 1984.