Serica spuds Columbus gas development well in Central North Sea

Serica Energy plc announced it had spud the Columbus 23/16f-CDev1 development well in the UK Central North Sea.

On Wednesday (17 March), a Maersk Resilient heavy duty jack-up rig began drilling to a total depth of 17,600ft, and will include a 5,600ft horizontal section. Drilling is expected to take around 70 days.

The Columbus development area is 35km north east of the Shearwater production facilities and will be drained by a single producing well tied into the existing Arran to Shearwater pipeline.

A recent competent person’s report estimates the Columbus gross undeveloped 2P reserves to be in excess of 14 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

Following drilling, an open-hole sand-screen completion will be installed and a short
clean-up flow and well test will be performed to provide production data and prepare for flowing into the export system. The well will then be suspended.

Serica said that the well would later this year be connected to the Arran pipeline, through which Columbus production will be exported along with Arran Field production.

When the production reaches the Shearwater platform, the gas and liquids will be separated, and the gas exported via the SEGAL line to St Fergus and the liquids through the Forties Pipeline System to Cruden Bay.

Production is expected to start in early Q4 2021, with average gross production forecast to be around 7,000 boe/d, of which over 70% is gas.

MILESTONE

Columbus is Serica’s first development well as operator in the North Sea with a 50% interest. Partners include Waldorf Production UK Ltd (25%) and Tailwind Mistral Ltd (25%).

Serica chief executive Mitch Flegg said that the start of drilling marked a significant milestone for the company.

“We have worked closely with our partners and with infrastructure owners to design a cost-effective development which minimises environmental impact through, among other things, the extensive use of pre-existing infrastructure.

“Over 70% of Columbus production will be natural gas which is a key element of the UK’s energy transition.”

RHUM R3

He added that the Rhum R3 intervention project was progressing towards completion and, following operations to reinstate production, was expected to make a “significant contribution” to overall field performance.

“Columbus and the Rhum R3 intervention work are part of a continuing programme of investment in our portfolio which is planned to continue in 2022 with the North Eigg exploration well.”

INTERESTS

Serica was formed in 2004 as an explorer, developer and producer of oil and gas fields and now focuses on the UK North Sea.

In the UK Northern North Sea, the company operates the producing assets of Bruce (98%), Keith (100%) and Rhum (50%), with interests in the North Eigg exploration well.

In the Central North Sea, Serica is a non-operating partner in the producing Erskine field (18%), operator for the gas-condensate Columbus field (50%), holds an interest in the Skerryvore exploration prospect and a separate licence for the Ruvaal area with a drill or drop decision.