Premier Oil said yesterday it had completed the drilling and testing of the Bream appraisal well in Norwegian waters.
It said a sidetrack well had tested at a flow-rate of 2,516 barrels of oil equivalent per day, adding that an extensive data-collection programme had been carried out and suggested an initial recoverable volume of 39-63million barrels. The well has been plugged and abandoned.
Premier added that its Frida Marine-1 well in the Congo Marine IX permit had not encountered hydrocarbons and was also being plugged and abandoned as a dry hole, although analysis was continuing to determine implications of the result on a follow-up prospect, Ida.
Chief executive Simon Lockett said: “We are disappointed that the Frida well encountered no hydrocarbons, however, the news from Bream is extremely encouraging for future development in Norway. Additional potential exists on adjoining acre-age operated by Premier including the discovery on 18/10 and Gardrofa prospect. These could add the volume required for a potential Bream area development.”
Transocean said a subsidiary of Noble Energy had awarded a 455-day contract for the ultra-deepwater semisubmersible rig Sedco Express, with estimated contracted revenue about £148million. The contract is expected to start in the third quarter of 2010 following completion of the rig’s current contract, maintenance work and mobilisation.