Rockhopper drills viable oil well in Falklands

Rockhopper Exploration, the North Falkland Basin oil and gas exploration company, has announced that it has drilled a well which is now flowing at commercially viable rates.

The well flowed for a main 48 hour flow period at a stabilised rate of 5508 stb/d and 940 mscf/d of gas with a flowing well head pressure (WHP) of 783 psi on a 48/64 in. choke. The gas oil ratio (GOR) was 170 scf/stb over the 48 hour period.

The Board views the flow rates achieved as being commercially viable. Further appraisal drilling is being progressed over the coming months to continue to define the extent of the Sea Lion resource.

Sam Moody, Chief Executive of Rockhopper, commented:,

“This very positive well test result is another key milestone in establishing Sea Lion commerciality. We will now review the wealth of data gathered during the testing process and continue our preparations for the next appraisal well on the field.”

The Ocean Guardian drilling unit will now drill well 14/10-6, which will be the third appraisal well within the Sea Lion discovery area. 14/10-6 is located some 4.5 km to the west of well 14/10-5 and is located within the Company’s currently mapped mid-case area.

Undoubtedly this discovery of commercially viable oil will only serve to upset Argentina further, who have been ramping up the diplomatic pressure on the British government over the sovereignty of the Falklands in recent months, with Argentina’s president calling the British Government arrogant for its refusal to discuss the issue any further.

Although interestingly the last time that Argentina made a play for the Falklands back in 1982 it was widely supposed that the attack on the British-owned islands was partly timed to detract attention from Argentina’s failing economy and boost popularity for the military junta, the current government could be using a similar tactic in this time of economic hardship.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/28062011/rockhopper-drills-viable-oil-well-in-falklands/