Rathlin Energy (UK) Ltd has now “duly made” its application to conduct a “reservoir stimulation” within the Kirkham Abbey gas reservoir in the existing West Newton A-2 well in East Yorkshire.
PROPPANT
The joint venture operator said that the reservoir stimulation involved squeezing a “small volume of oil-based fluid” into the formation located within PEDL183.
This would bypass any reservoir damage created during drilling and previous well testing.
The company will then use proppant to “keep the pathways open to allow gas and hydrocarbon fluids to flow into the well at economic rates”.
Rathlin noted that a “proppant squeeze” was used in 2021 at the Wressle joint venture in Lincolnshire, resulting in an increase in production.
The company proposes a smaller scale operation, taking “less than an hour” to complete, at West Newton.
The Environment Agency is expected to hold a public consultation before deciding to issue any permit.
Rathlin also need approval from the North Sea Transition Authority for the reservoir stimulation.
Partners in PEDL183 comprise Rathlin with 66.67%, Union Jack Oil plc 16.665% and Reabold Resources plc holds a 16.665% direct interest and a 56% economic interest via its 59.5% shareholding in Rathlin.