The boss of UK Oil & Gas said strong flow rates has converted the Horse Hill scheme from a “science project” to a “commercial reality”.
UKOG Stepehn Sanderson spoke out after the site produced more than 900 barrels per day from an 88-foot aggregate perforated zone within the Upper Kimmeridge limestone interval at a depth of approximately 840 metres below ground level.
The firm said sweet oil flowed freely to the service without pumping.
Sanderson said: “This test provides unequivocal proof of concept for the Company’s new Kimmeridge limestone oil play. The two Kimmeridge flow tests have not only shown that moveable oil exists within the Kimmeridge, but more importantly, that it can be extracted at commercial rates even from vertical wells without significant stimulation.
“This result is therefore very significant for the company and the Weald Basin of the UK. The Kimmeridge play has moved from science project into the zone of commercial reality.
“The well’s natural aggregate flow rate from the Kimmeridge limestones of 1360 bopd looks to be one of the highest natural flow rates recorded in a UK onshore wildcat well since the Wytch Farm discovery in the 1970s. It should be noted that the planned use of horizontal appraisal and development wells may further significantly enhance production flow rates seen to date.
“Following the final flow test in the overlying Portland, HHDL now plan to move full speed ahead to obtain the necessary permissions to return to the well, drill a horizontal sidetrack and conduct long term production tests.”
With this stable Upper Kimmeridge limestone flow, the two Upper Kimmeridge and Lower Kimmeridge limestone intervals have now produced a combined average stable rate of over 1,360 bopd.
The HH-1 well is located within onshore exploration Licence PEDL137, on the northern side of the Weald Basin near Gatwick Airport