Venture Production turn on taps of new Chiswick gas well
Following the Chiswick Alpha well which was brought onstream during September 2007, the Chiswick Gamma well was also successfully drilled from the Noble Kolskya jack-up rig, hydraulically fractured and tested at rates of up to
62 million cubic feet per day ('MMcfpd'). Test rates were limited by the well test package available and the estimated unconstrained production capability of the well was 75 MMcfpd, materially in excess of pre-drill expectations.
The final well test had stabilised flow rates restricted to 55 MMcfpd in order to minimise any solids production from the well. The well has recently been tied into the producing infrastructure and came onstream in late February. Overall production from the Chiswick field is currently over 70 MMcfpd although this rate is restricted by the liquid handing capability on the production facility
whilst the Gamma well produces back the remaining fracture fluids. As the total liquid level reduces the production rate is expected to steadily ramp up over the coming weeks to between 80 and 90 MMcfpd.
Drilling of the Chiswick Gamma well represents successful completion of the first phase of development of the Chiswick field. Work is ongoing to prepare for up to three further wells targeting incremental reserves in the Gamma fault block and the undrilled Beta fault block, subject to the continued encouraging performance of the first two wells.
