The pace of exploration and appraisal new spuds on the UKCS continues to pick up.
After a slow start in January, more than twice as many wells have now been started as at the same point in 2009, and not far behind 2008 levels.
The drilling of 19 E&A wells comprising 11 exploration and eight appraisal wells is now under way. And there are currently 10 active mobile rigs (four semi-submersibles and six6 jack-ups).
May also saw the first sidetracks of the year, three having been initiated in addition to a single exploration re-spud (Total 3/15-13A) and one appraisal re-entry (Talisman 21/1a-26Re). However, this sidetrack activity remains significantly below that of 2008 and 2009, by which time eight and 13 legs, respectively, had been initiated.
In terms of managing the output from existing fields, 20 development or production wells are currently active utilising 11 mobile units, the balance utilising platform derricks.
Northern North Sea: two wells are active, one down on last month. They are Total’s Laphroaig well 3/15-13A using the Sedco 714 semi-submersible, but which is imminently expected off location due to mechanical difficulties; and Valiant’s Tybalt well 211/8c-4Z, being drilled using the Ocean Nomad semi.
The initial leg, 211/8c-4, recorded the West Tybalt discovery in Jurassic sands while the geological sidetrack, targeting East Tybalt, is also reported as encouraging; moreover, it is in the same reservoir and a test programme will start shortly.
The semi-submersible, Stena Spey, ended operations on Taqa’s 210/25a-10, 10Z Tern North appraisal and then mobilised to Pelican field development drilling on block 211/26a.
Three wells are active in the Central North Sea. They comprise:
Nexen’s Jurassic Blackbird appraisal 20/2a-9 with the GSF Arctic IV following the abandonment with oil shows of the operator’s Bugle North appraisal 15/23d-15.
Talisman’s Jurassic 21/1a-26 Tweedsmuir appraisal re-entry, in continuation of drilling with the Ocean Princess after its return from Tweedsmuir development work.
EnCore’s 28/9-1 Tertiary Catcher exploration well utilising the Galaxy 2 jack-up from Ithaca’s successful Stella appraisal 30/6a-8, 8Z.
Jack-ups busy in the Southern North Sea on E&A activity include:
The GDF Suez Cygnus appraisal 44/11a-4 was suspended by the Ensco 100 before mobilising the short distance to spud 44/12a-5, a further appraisal on the field.
The Noble Julie Robertson stays with Centrica following the Olympus gas discovery, 48/12e-11.
GSF Labrador suspended Dana’s Platypus discovery 48/1a-5 and moved to drill the company’s Monkwell appraisal, 42/29a-10.
The Noble Byron Welliver remains on location on ATP’s Kilmar appraisal 43/22a-3.
The Ensco 72 is off stack and drilling exploration well 42/19-1 for RWE on the Triassic Airidh prospect.
Following the departure of the Ensco 92 from its year-long stay in the East Irish Sea Basin, the Ensco 80 jack-up came off stack and mobilised from Humberside to drill exploration well 113/26b-3 on the Conan prospect for Serica, although no hydrocarbons were encountered in the short duration well.
In part prompted by lower rig rates and a positive air following the downturn of 2009, activity levels in 2010 are showing a significant improvement over the same period last year and have already resulted in the Tybalt discovery in the NNS, the successful appraisal of Stella in the CNS and the Olympus and Platypus discoveries, as well as successful ongoing appraisal of Cygnus, in the SNS.
While, numerically, 2010 is likely to outshine 2009, the levels attained in 2008, which saw an accelerated pace of drilling in the latter half, are unlikely be bettered this year. However, drilling levels should remain strong.
The current list of 175 wells is likely to be strengthened further on award of 26th Round licences later in the year.
Simon Robertshaw’s column is courtesy of drilling analyst Hannon Westwood
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