News Oil & Gas

Serica marks successful flow test results at Columbus

Serica Energy plc today announced successful flow test results from the Columbus development well in the Central North Sea.

Milestone: Columbus is part of Serica’s investment programme aimed at boosting production from H2 2021 (Serica Energy)

DEPTH

The company had earlier this year experienced difficulties with installing sand screens but remained on course for production.

The well was drilled to a measured depth of 17,600ft with a horizontal section of over a mile in length in the Forties Sandstone formation.

PRODUCTION

Serica reported a stabilised flow rate of 38.0mmscf/d of gas and 1,560bbls/d of condensate which is at the upper end of the pre-drill range of expected outcomes.

The company anticipates that Columbus will start during Q4 2021 once initial flow from the Arran field has reached stable conditions.

The well is expected to produce at around 7,000boe/d (gross) of which at least 75% is expected to be gas.

Minimal subsea equipment has been installed to enable tie-in of the Columbus well to adjacent infrastructure to minimise environmental impact and CO2 emissions.

INVESTMENT

Chief executive Mitch Flegg described the campaign as “challenging”.

“This is a significant milestone for Serica, demonstrating our ability to successfully lead a development project as well as being a proven efficient production operator.

“Columbus is part of Serica’s ongoing capital investment programme which is aimed at boosting production in the second half of this year and beyond.”

Operator Serica (50% interest) discovered Columbus in 2006 and has developed the field with its partners Waldorf Production UK Ltd and Tailwind Energy Ltd.