Serica Energy today announced successful flow test results from the Columbus development well.

The well was drilled to a measured depth of 17,600ft with a horizontal section of over a mile in length in the Forties Sandstone formation. The completion equipment has been successfully installed into the well and a flow test has now been performed. A stabilised flow rate of 38.0mmscf/d of gas and 1,560bbls/d of condensate has been achieved through a 56/64ths inch choke. This rate was at the upper end of the pre-drill range of expected outcomes and was constrained by the surface well test equipment on board the Maersk Resilient Heavy-Duty Jack-Up drilling rig.

A diving support vessel (“DSV”) will tie the subsea wellhead into the Arran Field export system directly after the rig leaves location. It is anticipated that Columbus start-up will occur in Q4 2021 once initial flow from the Arran field has reached stable conditions. Once it has been brought on stream it is anticipated that the Columbus well will produce at around 7,000boe/d (gross) of which at least 75% is expected to be gas.

Columbus was discovered by Serica in 2006. Serica has a 50% interest and has been the operator throughout the exploration, appraisal and field development stages and has developed the field in conjunction with its partners Waldorf Production and Tailwind Energy.

Minimal subsea equipment has been installed to enable tie-in of the Columbus well to adjacent infrastructure, thus minimising environmental impact and CO2 emissions. This is consistent with Serica’s stated objective of reducing the carbon intensity (i.e. CO2 per barrel of oil equivalent) of its production operations

Mitch Flegg, Chief Executive of Serica Energy, commented:
“We are delighted to have achieved the objectives of this challenging but ultimately very successful campaign.

This is a significant milestone for Serica, demonstrating our ability to successfully lead a development project as well as being a proven efficient production operator.

I would like to acknowledge the skill, hard-work and dedication of our operational team who have made this outcome possible. I would also like to recognise the input and support of our joint venture partners Waldorf Production UK Ltd. and Tailwind Energy Ltd.

Columbus is part of Serica’s ongoing capital investment programme which is aimed at boosting production in the second half of this year and beyond. I look forward to updating the market when we bring this Columbus well and the recently announced Rhum R3 well into production.”

KeyFacts Energy: Serica Energy UK country profile