Heavy oil explorer Xcite Energy said yesterday drilling on its Bentley field had found an additional oil column.
The Aberdeen-based firm, which is working on its phase 1a development of the field – an extended well test – said its well drilled by the Rowan Norway jack-up rig had reached target depth of 9,646 feet.
It said the top reservoir was higher than previously encountered in any part of the field to date, giving an oil column depth of approximately 121 feet.
The firm will now focus on completion and preparation for production testing.
Xcite exploration and development director Steve Kew said: “The additional oil column encountered will be assessed and modelled in due course and augurs well as we move ahead with the work programme towards first oil on Bentley.
“We are pleased with the work programme to date and this marks the end of the drilling phase as the rig operations now focus on the completion and preparation for production testing, with the upper lateral now ideally positioned as the first production well for Phase 1B of the Bentley development programme.”