RE: Commentary7 Jan 2020 19:50
We’ve seen some things that we hadn’t anticipated and, before we start making pronouncements about whether those differences are good, bad or indifferent, we need to thoroughly analyse the results. And maybe we hit the proverbial wire with Warwick Deep, but then again maybe not. We’ll see.
“Which other company drilled three holes in a new play on the UKCS during 2020? None. Overall, Hurricane has drilled more than 10 wells into basement West of Shetland so far.”
Turning to the 2020 programme, and because the company has been able to secure an extension to its P1368 permit, which includes P1368 (Central) Lancaster and P1368 (South) Lincoln, the focus will be on delivering commitment well obligations.
Core to the 2020 campaign is the drilling of one or more sub-vertical wells to determine the maximum vertical extent of the Lincoln field.
At a minimum, the intention is to confirm the mid case oil water contact at 2,200m TVDSS with drilling not expected to start until the middle of the year.
For obvious reasons, there are currently no further plans to drill any additional horizontal producers on the GWA, at least this year.
That means a semi-idle rig unless alternative uses can be agreed, in particular accelerating drilling on the Lancaster field with a view to reinforcing production and paving the way towards full-field development.
With this in mind, on December 13, Hurricane said it was in talks with Spirit for the potential use of the already hired Transocean Paul B Lloyd Junior rig to accelerate the drilling of a third horizontal production well on Lancaster.
This would achieve two things: the rig spends less time idle and a successful well would, subject to OGA approval, be rapidly prepped as a tie-back to Aoka Mizu with first commercial oil expected before the end of 2021.
Mr Trice reported that Hurricane and Spirit were continuing to develop a 2020 GWA programme, disappointments and the Spirit sale notwithstanding.
Turning to the Lancaster production trial, results thus far have been good with better than anticipated output and minimal water-cut.
However, Mr Trice is holding to the opinion that Hurricane will need six months to a year’s-worth of constant production from the early production system aboard Aoka Mizu before the company is sufficiently confident that Lancaster is a solid candidate for full-field development.
But what does constant production currently mean?
Mr Trice said: “We’ve been playing around with the two production wells we currently have – turning them on, turning them off, doing interference data, all sorts of clever things.
“So far we haven’t found anything to make us change our opinion of the Lancaster reservoir.”
Production since September 20 has averaged about 12,500 barrels of oil per day, exceeding guidance for the latest calendar quarter of 11,000bpd.
Combined production for the year ahead is estimated to be 20,000bpd before downtime.
The heels of the two wells