Operations in United Kingdom
Columbus Area
Block 23/16f - Columbus discovery
Serica 50% (operator), Endeavour 25%, EOG 25%
Block 23/16f covers an area of approximately 52 square kilometres. in the Central North Sea and was awarded to Serica and its partners in 2005 in the 23rd Round of UK Offshore Licensing.
This block and the adjacent blocks in which Serica has an interest form part of Serica’s strategy to exploit modern 3D seismic processing techniques, particularly in the Tertiary reservoirs of the Central North Sea, with the aim of increasing the chances of exploration success.
To test this technology, in late 2006 Serica drilled well 23/16f to a depth of 10,116 feet subsea and encountered a gross gas column of 125 feet in the Paleocene Forties sands. The well was tested and, during the main five-hour flow period on a restricted choke of 56/64", produced at a stabilised average rate of 17.5 million scfd and 1,060 bpd of 47.5° API condensate with a wellhead pressure of 1,200 psi and the inert gas content was less than 2%..
On a most likely basis, an independent report by RPS Energy Limited attributes contingent hydrocarbon resources net to Serica of 10.8 million boe.
An appraisal well will be drilled in September 2007 approximately 3 kilometres north of the Columbus discovery well. The results of the appraisal well will be used to determine the development plan for the Columbus field which is close to existing production infrastructure, including the Lomond field which lies about seven kilometres from the Columbus discovery well. Serica is already in discussion with infrastructure owners regarding the potential offtake routes for Columbus production.
Columbus video
Blocks 23/16e and 23/17b
Serica 50% (operator) Endeavour 47.5%, Wham 2.5%
These two part blocks cover an area of approximately 24 square kilometres and were awarded as a single licence in December 2004. Serica will be re-evaluating the potential of these blocks following the results of the Columbus appraisal well. Currently leads exist at Tertiary and deeper levels.
Block 23/16g
Serica 50% (operator), Endeavour 50%
Block 23/16g was awarded to Serica in 2007 in the 24th Round of UK Offshore Licensing and contains a Forties sand prospect identified on 3D seismic and known as Livingstone. The prospect will be re-evaluated once the results of the Columbus appraisal well are known.