IOG plc is making “steady progress” to resolve the oil and gas influx which delayed drilling Blythe H2 development well at the Saturn Banks project in the southern North Sea.
BLYTHE H2
The company added that the situation had been “uniquely challenging” but two issues of a stuck drill string and a plugged drillpipe were now resolved.
Chief operating officer Dougie Scott said the gas-oil encountered from the Hauptdolomit was now controlled without needing to sidetrack.
“The 8½” hole section has now been drilled to a revised depth above the reservoir, where the 7″ liner will be run and cemented to isolate the overpressure.
“This will enable the well to continue to the reservoir in the planned 6″ hole size.”
Safe hook-up and commissioning of the H2 well is expected to need three to five days’ planned downtime in both May and June respectively.
The well is targeted to come onstream by the end of Q2, at an estimated additional cost of £2-3 million net to IOG.
Initial well cost estimate was £13 million net to IOG, including associated platform modifications, before any potential tax shelter or investment allowances.
IOG added that Blythe H1 was producing steadily at 17 mmscf/d gross rate, averaging 14.9 mmscf/d year to date.