Shell UK Ltd., Apache North Sea Ltd., and co-venturers OMV (UK) Ltd. and Petro Summit Investment UK Ltd. have drilled a discovery well in block 22/12a in a low relief structure between the Shell operated Nelson and the Montrose fields in the Central North Sea, 200 km northeast of Aberdeen.
"Drilling this well underlines Shell's commitment to near-field exploration in the North Sea and is a good example of cross-industry co-operation to maximize the potential of a mature area. If it is developed it has the potential to allow Shell to increase its portfolio of existing oil and to extend the life of nearby infrastructure," Rien Herber, exploration director of Shell Exploration & Production in Europe, said:
Shell acquired block 22/12a in 2002 as part of the Enterprise Oil portfolio. TheSedco711 rig spudded the 22/12a-10 well on Oct. 30, 2004, and identified a 60-ft hydrocarbon column in the Forties reservoir. The well was plugged and abandoned on Nov. 21 as planned. Information from the well is being evaluated to determine commerciality.
"This is the first of what we hope to be numerous joint operations with Shell in the North Sea, where we believe there remain many exploration and development opportunities yet to be pursued. Apache has significantly boosted production from Forties field; we would like to expand our presence in the North Sea," John Crum, managing director of Apache, said:
03/09/05
