Intervention increases output from restricted Athena well in the North Sea

Offshore staff

CALGARY, Canada -- A hydraulic intervention partially cleared a production tubing blockage in the P1 well in the Athena field in the UK North Sea.

The program, conducted using an ROV support vessel, involved pumping fluids into the P1 well flowline at the wellhead.

According to Athena operator Ithaca Energy, flow rates from the well have since increased marginally to 700-800 b/d of oil.

Production data suggests the anticipated sweep of oil within the reservoir can produce its full recoverable reserves, supported by recovery from other wells on the field.

P1 was the original appraisal well drilled on the field in 2006 and completed as a development well in 2011.

The Athena partners have decided against performing a workover on the well using a drilling rig. However, they may authorize attempts to further clear the blockage by applying hydraulic pressure, using the facilities on the Athena FPSO.

Otherwise, the fieldcontinues to produce dry oil and the field facilities are performing well, Ithaca says.  

9/14/2012