BG Exploration and Production Limited (BG E&P) today
announced an oil discovery in UK Block 15/23d, located
160 kms northeast of St Fergus, and 85 kms west of the
BG operated Armada fields.
A gross oil column of 266 feet was encountered in Upper
Jurassic Sandstones, which tested on a 32/64 inch choke
at flow rates in excess of 7,500 barrels per day of 43.8
API oil and 9.0 million standard cubic feet per day of
associated gas.
Frank Chapman, managing director, BG E&P said: "The
UKCS, where BG E&P is a major holder of reserves
and exploration acreage, continues to be a core area
for us. We are delighted to announce this important discovery
and have already begun conceptual studies so as to reduce
time to first production. Discussions have started with
adjacent field operators to evaluate the possibility
of a fast track development, which BG E&P will be
discussing with the DTI in due course."
The discovery well, 15/23d-13 was a high pressure, high
temperature well, which started drilling operations on
November 15, 1996 and completed testing on February 16,
1997. The well will be suspended for re-entry at a later
date and possible use as a development well.
BG E&P is operator of Block 15/23d and holds a 60%
interest, in partnership with Agip (UK) Limited, which
holds the remaining 40%. This is the first well to be
drilled by BG E&P on block 15/23d, following its
award during the 14th Round of UK Licensing, in 1993.
Notes to editors
Following the suspension of the 15/23d-13 well, the
Santa Fe 135 rig will begin drilling another BG E&P
operated exploration well in block 13/24b, situated in
the Moray Firth immediately to the north of the Ross
Field, in which BG E&P is an equity holder.
The 15/23d-13 announcement follows confirmation on February
20 of a significant discovery in Block 30/2c, in which
BG E&P has a 35 per cent interest, having farmed
into the block in 1995. The Jade field appraisal well
flowed 91 million standard cubic feet per day of gas,
and 9,700 barrels per day of condensate, from two zones.
BG E&P is the exploration and production division
of BG plc, formerly British Gas plc.
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