Serica Energy plc announced it was on course for production despite earlier difficulties with installing sand screens at the Columbus gas development well in the UK Central North Sea.
Columbus was spudded in mid-March and drilled to a total measured depth of 17,600ft.
A 5,900ft horizontal section was drilled through the reservoir formations of the upper Forties and encountered a sequence of sands and shales, in line with pre-drill expectations.
Serica, which owns a 50% operated interest in the Columbus development, said that the well required sand screens to be installed to prevent fine particles being produced.
However, difficulties while running the screens have prevented installation.
“As a result, the reservoir section of the well will be side-tracked and re-drilled, using data collected during initial drilling to optimise its trajectory and avoid the difficulties encountered running the screens in the original well.
“The additional operations are expected to take around three-four weeks at a net cost to Serica of around £3 million.
“These operations are not expected to affect the timing of production start-up which is still expected during Q4 2021.”
Columbus comprises block 23/16f and 23/21a (part) and partners include Serica 50% (operator), Waldorf Production 25% and Tailwind 25%.
RHUM R3
The company also announced that the Rhum R3 well had now been cleared of all equipment installed when it was originally completed in 2005.
Reservoir access has been regained to allow new completion equipment to be installed before a flow test on the well, which is expected to be carried out in June.
Serica added that a diving support vessel had been contracted to install the subsea control equipment required to allow production in the third quarter of 2021.
Serica Energy is the operator of the producing Bruce (98%), Keith (100%) and Rhum (50%) fields in the UK Northern North Sea.
It also holds an 18% non-operated interest in the producing Erskine field in the UK Central North Sea and a 50% operated interest in the Columbus development.
More than 80% of Serica’s production is natural gas.
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