Serica Energy is targeting 2020 for first gas at its Columbus field in the Central North Sea, and reveals plans to begin drilling at the nearby Rowallan prospect next year.
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Map of Columbus, from Serica. |
The company is working towards a full field development for Columbus to be set by the end of 2017, with plans to begin development work in 2018.
Columbus is a gas condensate Forties sandstone reservoir and has been fully appraised by four wells. The field lies in Blocks 23/16f and 23/21a (Columbus Sub Area). It has net contingent resources estimated by NSAI at 6.2 MMboe.
Serica is reviewing two potential development options, in collaboration with nearby operators. The options include an extended reach development well drilled from Shell’s Lomond platform, which is expected to deliver capital cost efficiencies and easier maintenance access; or, a subsea well completion tied into a proposed third-party pipeline to Shell’s Shearwater platform.
"Our immediate focus is to broaden and expand our producing asset base through progressing the Columbus field to development and by acquiring additional production where we believe Serica can add value,” says Tony Craven Walker, Serica chairman.
At Eni’s Rowallan, also in the North Sea, detailed well planning is underway, with site survey and long-lead items have been approved by partners for 2017. A vessel will be deployed in the summer to perform a site survey and drill geotechnical boreholes in preparation for drilling in 2018.
Serica says it is fully carried on costs for completion of a first well, and estimates potential net P50 resources at 20 MMboe.
“On the exploration front, we are delighted that operations have now commenced in preparation for drilling a well on the Rowallan prospect on which we have a 15% carried interest,” says Walker.
Rowallan is one of three large, high pressure, high temperature prospects on Block 22/19c, which lies close to Serica’s Columbus and Erskine interests.
Plans to drill a well were delayed last year pending greater clarity on the outlook for oil and gas prices but partners have now agreed to place advance orders for long-lead items and proceed with site surveying this year in preparation for drilling of the Rowallan exploration well in 2018, says Serica.
“There are similarities to the nearby Culzean field (operated by Maersk Oil), with the well targeting the same age Jurassic/Triassic reservoir sands and a fault-and dip closed trap,” says Serica.
Serica is the operator of Block 23/16f and part of 23/21a, where Columbus lies, with 50% interest. Partners include Endeavor (25%) and EOG (25%).
Eni is the operator of Block 22/19c where Rowallan lies, with 40% stake. Partners are JX Nippon (25%), Mitsui (20%), and Serica (15%).
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