Premier Oil today confirmed first oil for its Solan field.
“The first producer well (P1) is being naturally flowed at a deliberately restricted initial rate. It is planned that the well will remain free flowing for a short time after which the ESP (pump) will be turned on,” a company statement read.
Following this initial period, Premier said it would carry out a planned shut down to complete the final commissioning of the water injection plant, the tie in of the second water injection well (W2) and prepare for the tie in of the second producer well (P2). The Superior Flotel, which it has under contract until May, will carry out the work.
The Ocean Valian rig is currently drilling the second producer well, P2y. Its 1,500ft of high quality reservoir sands have been intersected and the tie-in is expected to be completed by mid-year.
Premier said once both of the producer wells are on stream it expects to produce between 20,000 and 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. It expects to hit those numbers in the second half of this year.
The Solan oil field was discovered in 1991 by Hess and relinquished. The discovery was further appraised by Chrysaor with two wells in 2008 and 2009.
Premier acquired a 60% interest in field in May 2011.
Onshore construction of the subsea storage tank, jacket and topsides was completed in 2014 with the facilities installed during August and September 2014.
“Commissioning of the facilities, which commenced in November 2014, was hampered by poor weather in the North Sea and low productivity over the winter period,” according to the firm.
In May 2015 Premier bought the remaining 40% stake from Chrysaor, giving it full operatorship.
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