UK
With the spud of Dana 13/23d-8, one of just two wells started in the fourth quarter to date, six E&A wells are currently active in the UKCS, equally split between exploration and appraisal wells and an increase of one well on our last report.
Ending operations during October was a single well in the Central North Sea. The number of spuds in 2013 amounts to 29 wells; that’s 13 exploration and 16 appraisals, with a total of 15 geological or mechanical sidetracks (eight exploratory, seven appraisal) also noted.
In contrast to E&A levels, eight development/production wells have commenced in October and six sidetracks initiated, raising the number of starts in 2013 to 102 wells comprising 56 spuds and 46 sidetracks. 22 development wells, including batch-drilling programmes, are underway 11 of which are being drilled by mobile rigs.
West of Shetland
Out in the WoS sector, BP’s Clair appraisal programme continues with Paul B. Loyd Jnr (semi-submersible) on well 206/9a-3 in the West of Shetland Basin and Sedco 714 (semi-) on Total’s well 206/4a-3 (re-entry) on the Spinnaker prospect in deeper (295m/970ft) waters of the Atlantic Margin.
Northern North Sea
In the NNS Taqa spudded well 210/29a-6, a further Cladhan field appraisal, with the semi- John Shaw on October 14, the rig having returned to Taqa following a brief excursion into the Central North Sea for EOG.
Central North Sea
Two wells are active in the CNS: Dana’s 13/23d-8 on the U.Jurassic Liberator prospect, spudded October 28 by Ocean Nomad (semi-) and ConocoPhillips well 30/2c-J12, a deviated appraisal from the Jade platform utilising Maersk Resilient (jack-up).
EOG’s aforementioned well 21/12b-6 was abandoned after 16 days on October 4, the John Shaw returning to the NNS for Taqa.
Southern North Sea
A sole well remains active in the SNS: Dana’s 47/5d-3 on the Permian Pharos prospect with Noble Lynda Bossler (jack-up) handling the well. Spudded on September 25 the rig is about a month into a possible 60 day programme.
West of Britain
WoB, the East Irish Sea basin is currently devoid of any exploration or appraisal drilling, although EOG retains Ensco 80 (jack-up) on Conwy/Corfe development duties.
With just two well spuds reported in October to date, 2013 continues to shape up as a disappointing year. Activity levels are notably low even before the impact of seasonal weather inevitably makes its mark.
The pool of currently active exploration wells – collectively chasing some 100-plus million barrels oil equivalent – will have to hit pay if the discovered resource (currently standing at some 40-50mmboe for 2013 spuds to date) is to stand up to close scrutiny at year end.
This time around though, deflated drilling cannot be blamed on the oil price, which has remained steady and relatively strong for the last two years and rig utilisation remains high as operators chase production and cash flow.
It’s difficult to conclude anything other than the appetite for exploration and appraisal on the UKCS has, at least for now, disappeared.
NORWAY
It’s been a dry October on the NCS
At month end 12 wells are currently active, nine classed as exploratory and three as appraisal, with seven in the North Sea, two in the Norwegian Sea and three in the Barents Sea.
To date this year some 48 spuds are noted, along with three sidetracks. No re-entries or re-spuds this year are recorded.
Nineteen development/production wells are currently active, with all bar one, drilling on North Sea fields, with just one in the Norwegian Sea.
Currently, there are 36 mobile units in the Norwegian sector, with 23 on field operations, whilst the remaining 13 are active on E&A duties, either drilling or mobilising between drilling operations.
North Sea
In the North Sea Lundin initiated Johan Sverdrup appraisal well 16/3-7 with the Bredford Dolphin (semi-), whilst it continues concurrent operations with its nearby Torvastad exploration well 16/2-20, utilising the COSL Innovator (semi-).
GDF has spudded its Kon-Tiki exploration probe 35/9-9 with the Transocean Barents (semi-) and Wintershall began operations mid-month with well 35/9-10 S, utilising the Transocean Arctic (semi-).
Repsol completed operations with Maersk Giant (jack-up) at its Brattholmen exploration probe 4/4-1. This was abandoned as a dry hole having been unsuccessful in its U.Cretaceous target.
Statoil continues operations with two wells, 30/11-9 S and 34/10-54 S, targeting the Askja West/East and Rav/Valemon North prospects respectively, the Ocean Vanguard and Transocean Leader semi-subs employed here.
In addition, Wintershall has wrapped-up operations with Borgland Dolphin (semi-) on its Asha East appraisal sidetrack well 16/1-20 A, this having been abandoned dry.
Norwegian Sea
In this sector, Statoil started sidetrack operations on its Snilehorn prospect, well 6407/8-6 A, with the Songa Trym (semi-) employed targeting the Jurassic.
Elsewhere, RWE reported its long-running Sverdrup probe, 6608/2-1 S, to be dry. The Transocean Winner (semi-) is now in the process of abandoning and expected to mobilise in early November.
Barents Sea
Way up north Statoil spudded its Skavl exploration well 7220/7-2 S early in the month, where it is targeting a M.Jurassic objective with the West Hercules (semi).
Lundin completed operations with its successful Gohta exploration well, 7120/1-3, with a discovery made and subsequent testing programme conducted. The Transocean Arctic (semi-) was used on this occasion.
Elsewhere, Eni is understood to be wrapping-up operations with Scarabeo 8 (semi-) at its Bonna exploration well 7016/2-1, with this reported as a dry hole.
OMV’s Wisting North/Main well, 7324/7-1 S, was reported to have encountered oil shows, with the Leiv Eiriksson (semi-) expected off station by early November.
Of late, Norway has had somewhat of a flurry of discoveries, especially in comparison to the UK where activity and success have been somewhat in short supply.
This flurry, however, seems to have been halted for October, with a number of dry holes reported.
That said, with activity expected to remain buoyant into the final quarter, it would take a significant number of dry holes to tarnish what appears, to date at least, to have been a reasonably successful year with the drill-bit.
This drilling report by David Moseley and Simon Robertshaw is courtesy of North Sea analysts Hannon Westwood
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