News Oil & Gas

Angus wins appeal for extended well test at Balcombe

Angus Energy plc has won its appeal against West Sussex County Council’s refusal to grant permission for an extended well test at its Balcombe oil site.

Definitive: the 2018 planning permission expired prior to the completion of clean-up operations (Angus Energy)

DRILLING FLUIDS

The company holds a 25% interest along with Cuadrilla Balcombe Ltd (56.25%) and Lucas Bolney Ltd (18.75%) in PEDL 244 targeting the Kimmeridge limestones.

The Balcombe 2Z horizontal sidetrack was drilled in 2013, and in 2018 permission was granted for a flow test. 

“The test evidenced a definitive oil show with high flow rates for short periods,” said the company.

“The planning permission expired prior to the completion of clean up operations leaving a quantity of, what the company subsequently determined to be, left-over drilling fluids from the 2013 operation. 

“Hence a new planning permission was applied for in 2020 in order to complete the clean-up exercise and follow with an extended well test.” 

The Planning Inspectorate gave its decision on the company’s appeal yesterday, 13 February.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT

Angus added that a decision on its request to vary the terms of the environmental permit for the Balcombe site was expected “imminently”.