Phillips has significant discovery in Central North Sea

Phillips Petroleum Co. United Kingdom Ltd. and its co-venturers (BG Exploration and Production Ltd.; Texaco North Sea Ltd.; Statoil (UK) Ltd.; and OMV (UK) Ltd.) have announced a significant discovery in Block 30/2c in the UK's central North Sea. The Jade field features pay zone of more than 1,300 feet; appraisal well flows combined 91 mmcfpd of gas and 9,700 bpd of condensate from two zones. The Jade accumulation is located 12 miles North of the Phillips-operated Judy field. It is a separate structure from all other fields in the area. In anticipation of possible field development, Phillips installed a nine-slot spacer frame on the seabed in November, 1996. The company then drilled the 30/2c-4 appraisal well from the spacer frame to a total depth of 16,867 feet, encountering a hydrocarbon column more than 1,300 feet thick with no water contact, confirming and extending the results of the discovery well.
Phillips tested two intervals in the appraisal well. The lower interval flowed at a stabilised rate of 33 mmcf of gas per day and 6,000 bpd of condensate (47 degrees API) on a 48/64-inch choke. The upper interval flowed at a stabilised rate of 58 mmcf of gas per day and 3,700 bpd of condensate (47 degrees API) on a 48/64-inch choke.Both the discovery well and the appraisal well are high-pressure, high-temperature wells and have been suspended for re-entry and completion during development.
In order to reduce time to first production, development conceptual studies have been progressing in parallel with appraisal drilling. Studies completed to date indicate that production from the Jade field could commence as early as the fourth quarter of 1998. Phillips will discuss various development options with the Department of Trade and Industry later this year.
Phillips is operator of Block 30/2c and holds a 32.5 % interest. Other interest holders are BG Exploration and Production Ltd., 35 %; Texaco North Sea Ltd., 15.4 %; Statoil (UK) Ltd., 10 %; and OMV (UK) Ltd., 7.1 %.