Investment company Reabold Resources plc said that an initial analysis of an extended well test (EWT) showed potential for “significant hydrocarbon” production at the West Newton joint venture project in East Yorkshire.
EWT
Operator Rathlin Energy Ltd conducted the EWT in Q4 2021 and commissioned RPS Group to produce a review assessing the potential of well productivity from the West Newton field.
RPS also investigated optimised drilling and well completion methodologies.
HYDROCARBONS
Reabold said that the study indicated potential for initial production rates of 35.6 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) (5,900 barrels of oil equivalent per day boepd) from a horizontally drilled well in the gas zone.
This is based on data from the West Newton A-2 well.
RPS also indicated potential initial production rates of 1,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) from a horizontally drilled well situated in the oil zone, also based on well data from West Newton A-2.
Analysis of fluid confirmed that hydrocarbon liquids recovered to surface are low specific gravity, low viscosity, light oil or condensate, and that gas recovered to surface is good quality with high heat content
The RPS review concluded that the Kirkham Abbey reservoir is likely to deliver substantially higher production rates from horizontal wells compared with vertical wells.
ACID STIMULATION
Reabold added that based on RPS modelling, most of the acid stimulation carried out during the EWT only interacted with a small section of the perforated intervals.
This was due to the permeability contrast across the Kirkham Abbey formation in both wells.
“This suggests that potential flow rates from wells in the Kirkham Abbey reservoir would benefit from an optimised acid stimulation programme that includes active diversion techniques,” added Reabold.
“Whilst the well productivity and therefore project economics are significantly optimised through horizontal drilling, the modelling also indicates that optimised acidization should lead to both oil and gas flow from vertical wells,” added Reabold.
“Therefore, it may be possible to recomplete the existing wells to achieve sustained flow rates, which would further de-risk and help optimise subsequent horizontal drilling.”
| Phase | Well and Completion Type | Average Daily Production | |
| Gas | Vertical Well Optimised Acid Stimulation | 1.8 | mmscfd |
| Gas | Horizontal Well Optimised Acid Stimulation | 35.6 | mmscfd |
| Oil | Vertical Well Optimised Acid Stimulation | 64 | bopd |
| Oil | Horizontal Well Optimised Acid Stimulation | 1,000 | bopd |
NATURAL FRACTURING
Reabold said that the RPS modelling excluded any potential productivity resulting from the natural fracturing identified within the Kirkham Abbey formation.
“It is Rathlin management’s belief that natural fracturing is likely to be present within future completion zones, which may further enhance well productivity.
“Further evaluation is ongoing to support the economic feasibility of horizontal wells, including an assessment of longer term production rates.”
RECOVERED FLUIDS FROM EWT
Reabold added that natural gas and liquid hydrocarbon samples were collected and analysed from West Newton A-2 and the West Newton B-1z wells.
The natural gas had measured specific gravities of 0.63; a methane content of ca 90 per cent. and an ethane content of ca 4.5 per cent.
The liquid hydrocarbons had measured API gravities between 45.9o and 49o pointing to a very light oil or condensate.
The samples also displayed a low viscosity measured at between 0.80 centipoise at 40o C, 0.91 centipoise at 25o C.
FUTURE PLANS
“Following this analysis, we have no doubt that we have a significant resource in place, and crucially the recovery of what we can now confirm to be high quality light oil in addition to good quality gas has further de-risked the project significantly,” said co-chief executive Stephen Williams.
“The data garnered from the operation has allowed the modelling of potential flow rates, independently assessed, for the first time, and the results are extremely exciting.”
Further work will further inform future plans and drilling at West Newton.
JOINT VENTURE
The joint venture comprises Reabold Resources with 56% economic interest via its 59% share in operator Rathlin Energy, which has a 66.67% in PEDL183.
In addition, Reabold has a 16.665% direct licence interest in PEDL183, and Union Jack Oil plc also owns a 16.665% economic interest.
The licence contains the WNA-1, WNA-2 and WNB-1Z hydrocarbon discoveries.