RE: Malcy likes it8 Nov 2023 09:56
Patrick,
Firstly, they already have a projection in place (as per CPR) for the need to install the "booster" compressor in Oct next year, which is necessary as the reservoir "producing" pressure goes further below the dew point and induces more condensate, which further lowers "surface" producing pressure and reduces dry gas flow.
That requirement will almost certainly require a field/total plant shut down to incorporate it into the plant and commission and then recalibrate the whole plant for optimisation, so there will be a fairly notable sum required to both purchase this and the associated works required up to eventual return to production.
It is also worth noting that adding the 3rd (booster) compressor will also add to the gas consumed in the running of these compressors, expected to be around 15% of total gas produced. That "booster" compressor cost is already projected at £2.5m +.
The proposed new wells, are not anticipated until 2025 for the first one, and 2026 for the 2nd one, so hardly an urgency for funding at this time, but they should and could have a good war chest built up for all the requirements if they bank excess revenues throughout 2024 etc.
Add to that, it is almost certain that A4 will require a minor workover to replace the current production string with a new smaller bore "velocity" string, as most of the current liquids are being produced by this well, mostly because of its trajectory that collects a lot of "banked" condensate and "some" additional water, probably £1-1.5m to cover that cost and reduction in production revenue while it is being carried out. That is anticipated early 2024.
These additional NEW wells (Sf09 & Sf10) have no certainty, it is into the "Eastern flank", which means they must be hoping/assuming that the targeted area has low levels of greater field depletion, either through part compartmentalisation or from areas of lower permeability, meaning it has potential to have retained commercial quantities to add to the total drainage of the field.
These 2 wells are not risk free, they "may" add to the field, but also may find the reservoir conditions weak and non commercial, and importantly, the cost of these 2 wells will be significantly more than that of a typical "side track", most of the cost of a "new" well is actually the "main bore" from surface, whereas a side track well uses an old mother bore to drill out from and generally SHOULD cost a fraction of a "new" well, they estimate around £6m per well, but then you have to apply the Angus factor in too, so I would not be surprised to see that edging a fair bit higher.