Ithaca Energy Inc. (TSX:IAE)(AIM:IAE) announces that it has completed a
successful drill stem test ("DST") on the Andrew sandstone interval in the
Hurricane appraisal well, 29/10b-8, The DST achieved a gross maximum flow rate
of approximately 24 million standard cubic feet of gas per day ("MMscf/d") with
associated condensate of 1,200 barrels per day ("bbl/d") from a 44/64-inch fixed
choke. The wellbore will now be suspended as a future Andrew reservoir
production well with the capability of also producing from the Rogaland
reservoir.
Well 29/10b-8 was drilled to appraise sands in the eastern lobe of the Hurricane
structural closure, located in the Company's Greater Stella Area ("GSA") of the
UK Central North Sea.
The well intersected 32 feet of Eocene Rogaland sandstone with an average
porosity of 28% over the net sands. A full core of the Rogaland reservoir
section was extracted. Fluid samples and downhole pressure data have confirmed
the presence of liquid rich gas throughout the interval; the samples indicate a
condensate-gas ratio ("CGR") of between 60 and 110 barrels of condensate per
MMscf. Sufficient data was obtained to remove the need to perform a well test on
this interval. Analysis of pressure data indicates the hydrocarbon-water contact
is likely to be the same as that in the Hurricane discovery well, 29/10-4Z
(located in the western lobe of the structure), at 9,438 feet True Vertical
Depth Subsea.
The well also intersected 20 feet of Palaeocene Andrew sandstone reservoir,
similar in nature and thickness to that observed in the main Andrew sandstone
reservoir of the Stella field, approximately 10 kilometres east of Hurricane.
The reservoir is of good quality, similar to that of Stella with average
porosity of 26% over the net sands, and is considered to potentially be part of
a more extensive Andrew sand unit in the area.
During the main flow period lasting approximately 24 hours, the Andrew interval
achieved an average gross flow rate of approximately 17 MMscf/d with associated
condensate of 870 bbl/d (52 degrees American Petroleum Institute ("API")
Gravity) from a half inch choke. A gross maximum flow rate of 24 MMscf/d with
associated condensate of 1,200 bbl/d was also achieved, with the full production
potential of the well being limited by surface equipment.
The well will now be suspended for future potential use as a production well for
the Andrew reservoir, with the capability of also being used for future
production from the Rogaland reservoir.
Nick Muir, Chief Technical Officer, commented:
"The successful results of the Hurricane appraisal well have clearly
demonstrated the significant potential of the Andrew reservoir play fairway in
the Company's Greater Stella Area. A work programme has already been launched to
assess the development options and ultimately recoverable volumes for Hurricane,
both in terms of the Rogaland and Andrew reservoirs, and the optimal solution
for its integration into the ongoing development of the nearby Stella and
Harrier fields; this will include the likely use of the current well as a
producer. All the major contracts for the Stella development have now been
awarded and the next key milestone will be the selection of the yard in which
the modification works will be performed on the FPF-1 floating production unit."
The well was drilled using the WilHunter enhanced pacesetter semi-submersible
rig, owned by Awilco Drilling plc and managed by the services of Applied
Drilling Technology International ("ADTI").
The Joint Venture partners in the Ithaca operated Block 29/10b (Hurricane) are
Ithaca Energy (UK) Ltd (54.66%), Dyas UK Ltd (25.34%) and Petrofac Energy
Developments UK Limited (20%)
Notes to oil and gas disclosure:
In accordance with AIM Guidelines, Hugh Morel, BSc Physics and Geology (Durham),
PhD Hydrogeology (London) and senior petroleum engineer at Ithaca is the
qualified person that has reviewed the technical information contained in this
press release. Dr Morel has 30 years operating experience in the upstream oil
industry.
The well test results disclosed in this news release represent short-term
results, which may not necessarily be indicative of long-term well performance
or ultimate hydrocarbon recovery therefrom.
About Ithaca Energy:
Ithaca Energy Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited
("Ithaca" or "the Company"), is an oil and gas exploration, development and
production company active in the United Kingdom's Continental Shelf ("UKCS").
The goal of Ithaca, in the near term, is to maximize production and achieve
early production from the development of existing discoveries on properties held
by Ithaca, to originate and participate in exploration and appraisal on
properties held by Ithaca when capital permits, and to consider other
opportunities for growth as they are identified from time to time by Ithaca
futr
My opinions are my own and and DD I post should be confirmed as unbiased
