RE: 2P13 Jan 2024 19:09
The key issue with Kraken drilling is timing, noting that the nature of drilling of the western flank, with its requirement for a rig hire, subsea infrastructure and long-range horizontal wells results in a long lead time for equipment orders. Timing is also important with regard to EPL, as it is more advantageous to invest capital towards the end of the EPL window, with the majority of revenues at peak rates coming beyond the EPL sunset.
As a result, we will look to protect Group production rates through investment in low-cost, quick payback drilling at Magnus and PM8/Seligi (as a reminder, both of these assets incorporate platform rigs, with no requirement to hire a drilling rig), while we are also looking into options to execute cheaper sidetrack options at Kraken in the shorter term.