LUNDIN has started the process of assessing potential farm-in partners for its SW Heather discovery in the UK Northern North Sea.
Bids were due in by the end of February following a period of six weeks or so when a data room was open for suitors to examine information garnered on SW Heather.
The accumulation was discovered in 1979 with the drilling of the 2/5-10 well, which flowed oil at a combined rate of 5,668 barrels of oil per day and established a 292ft oil column in Middle Jurassic Brent, Emerald and Triassic Sandstones.
However, subsequent appraisal wells, 2/5-11 and 2/5-16Z, failed to establish additional hydrocarbons. Nonetheless, Lundin insists a “significant range of oil-in-place is prospective”.
The P50 STOIIP (stock tank oil indicated in place) estimate for the field is 110million barrels, with significant upside potential.
The Heather field, with oil processing and export capabilities for SW Heather fluids, has an expected field life beyond 2020. Lundin-operated Heather is located 12km north-north-east of SW Heather. It has ullage (capacity) and established tieback production services at the nearby successful Broom, a third-party producing field.
Simultaneously, BG had put a trio of opportunities up for bid in the Moray Firth, Central North Sea and Southern Gas Basin.
The Moray Firth opportunity is the stratigraphic trap Volante prospect on blocks 20/2b and 20/3d, close to the Ettrick field. Reserves potential is up to 188million barrels oil equivalent, according to BG, which is seeking a “carried” exploration well programme to test the prospect.
The Central North Sea opportunity is the Courageous discovery straddling blocks 30/2a and 30/1b (N).
The preliminary reserves estimate is some 180billion cu ft of gas and 37million barrels of oil. The find lies close to infrastructure such as the Judy, Jade and Elgin/Franklin fields. BG clearly considers Courageous immaterial to its portfolio and is looking for a sale or swap.
In the Southern Gas Basin, Artemis gas find on block 47/3b has been put up for disposal. It sits within the Easington catchment area and is close to the Apollo and Minerva gas fields. Reserves are thought to be 200billion cu ft gross with the potential for a further 100BCF on the yet-to-be-drilled Artemis East prospect.