AFTER a very sluggish start, UK exploration and appraisal (E&A) activity is showing the first glimmers of an emergence from the hibernation that was a large part of 2009. From a dearth of new activity in January, operations have been completed on five wells so far this year.
February has already seen six E&A wells spudded, and five mobile rigs are currently active on two ongoing exploration and three appraisal wells.
In the Northern North Sea, Total completed operations on its long-running 3/9a-N52Y Alwyn platform “SNE” appraisal well. Having originally commenced in August 2009, the final mechanical sidetrack took 70 days, including a month during which the well is understood to have been flow tested.
Following its success with Balvenie exploration well 3/14d-18, Total will mobilise the semi-submersible, Sedco 714, to drill an exploration well on the Laphroaig prospect on block 3/15, possibly spudding in March, a little later than anticipated following a scheduled stay in port.
Activity in the Central North Sea comprises two wells. Nexen-operated Bugle North appraisal well 15/23d-15 spudded on February 22 using the semi-submersible, Glomar Arctic 4. This is a joint effort between Nexen’s 15/23d consortium and Nippon’s 15/23c group to the north.
Ithaca spudded appraisal well 30/6a-8 on the Stella discovery on February 18 with the deepwater jack-up rig, Galaxy 2.
Talisman temporarily suspended Tweedsmuir appraisal well 21/1a-26 after just a week of operations in mid-December in favour of higher priority Tweedsmuir field workovers. The semi-submersible, Ocean Princess, will return to resume drilling the Jurassic appraisal well.
Nexen drilled Jurassic Deacon exploration well 15/28c-9 over a 49-day period, finishing on January 26. Longer than two weeks at total depth hints at a successful, but as yet unconfirmed, outcome.
Following Deacon, the semi, Transocean Prospect, mobilised for Ettrick development duties.
EOG’s Palaeocene Dunkeld exploration well 15/30a-14 was abandoned after 27 days with no indication of positive outcome, following which the semi-submersible, Stena Spey, returned to Chevron to continue Captain field development duties.
In the Southern North Sea, GDF Suez has contracted the Ensco 100 for further appraisal drilling on the Cygnus gas discovery.
Well 44/11a-4, spudded February 18, is targeting a fault-block on the western area of the accumulation.
Centrica spudded well 53/3d-10 on the Rotliegendes Alcyone prospect on February 7, utilising Noble Julie Robertson, following completion of Morpheus exploration well 48/3a-5 after 52 days.
In the East Irish Sea, EOG, having taking options on the Ensco 92, spudded well 110/12-8 on February 19, the second of its back-to back exploration wells on Triassic prospects. Well 110/12-7 was abandoned after about 15 days without the same success as the operator’s 2009 Conwy discovery.
West of Shetland, although currently devoid of E&A drilling, is expected to see activity as the year progresses.
The acreage relinquishments at the end of 2009 have impacted the planned well count to some degree. This is to be expected as, despite some very attractive opportunities, funds were not available to drill out the potential.
Looking forward, a minimum of 20% of the 175 wells on Hannon Westwood’s planned wells list have rigs contracted.
The plans being announced by companies are discernibly more solid than this time a year ago, with rigs fixtures being announced rather than a mere toothless desire to drill.
The outlook appears to be one of cautious optimism and, as the tempering of rig rates begins to come into play, we should expect to see more firm drilling indications.
Simon Robertshaw’s column is courtesy of drilling analysts Hannon Westwood
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