Beacon Energy plc began commercial production at lower than expected rates following installation of a rod pump on the Schwarzbach-2(2.) well in the Erfelden field, Hessen.
STIMULATION
Initial rates fell, indicating legacy drilling fluids had invaded the reservoir less than three metres around the wellbore restricting flow rates, said the company.
The well has now stabilised to approximately 40 barrels of oil per day and continues to clean up at a slow rate with field revenues “exceeding field operating costs”.
More than 1,600 barrels of oil have been produced to date through the Schwarzbach facility since the installation of the rod pump.
Beacon plans “industry-standard well stimulation” during the fourth week of January 2024 to improve production.
The one-week operation has an estimated cost of less than €500,000.
A planned pressure build-up test is currently underway using a downhole pressure memory gauge that will be recovered before well stimulation.
Data from the test will show formation pressure in the oil-bearing reservoir and the ‘skin’ effect, caused by fluid invasion around the wellbore during drilling, and which is impeding flow.
The company said SCHB 2(2.) could achieve production in the region of 900 bopd.
Chief executive Larry Bottomley remained confident that the well would produce at higher rates either through natural clean-up during production or after remedial works.
“The principal implication for the lower than expected flowrate is the delay to the development of the Erfelden field.
“The SCHB-2(2.) well has demonstrated a material reserve in the Erfelden field, ranging from 4.7-7.2-10.2 million barrels in the low, best estimate and high case respectively in the company’s assessment.
“The challenges currently being experienced do not alter our belief in the ultimate production potential from this well.
“We remain fully focused on establishing optimal production from the SCHB-2(2.) well as quickly as possible through the rod pump, undertaking well stimulation and ultimately the installation of the ESP.”