Shell, Apache report central North Sea discovery well

Shell and Apache said March 9 they have drilled a discovery well in block 22/12a in a low relief structure between the Shell-operated Nelson and the Montrose fields in the Central North Sea some 200 kilometers northeast of Aberdeen.

Rien Herber, exploration director of Shell Exploration & Production in Europe called the well an example of “Shell’s commitment to near-field exploration in the North Sea” and said that if developed, it would “extend the life of nearby infrastructure.”

Shell acquired block 22/12a in 2002 as part of the Enterprise Oil portfolio. The 22/12a-10 well was spudded Oct. 30 by the Sedco711 rig and identified a 60-foot hydrocarbon column in the Forties reservoir. The well was plugged and abandoned Nov. 21, as planned Well data is being evaluated to determine commerciality.

Apache acquired BP’s 96.14 percent interest in the Forties field in 2003. John Crum, managing director of Apache, said: “This is the first of what we hope to be numerous joint operations with Shell in the North Sea, where we believe there remain many exploration and development opportunities yet to be pursued.

“Apache has significantly boosted production from Forties field; we would like to expand our presence in the North Sea,” Crum said.

—Petroleum News