2023年初，作为位于设得兰西部206/05c区块的Benriach油井的运营商，TotalEnergies确认了在2023年第2季度初开钻该井的决定。为此，签订了一份钻机合同，预计该钻机将在初夏钻探。
在2023年3月29日星期三的最新消息中，TotalEnergies的合作伙伴Kistos透露，Benriach探井是由Transocean的Transocean Barents半潜式钻井平台开钻的。该井的目标P50远景资源量为638 Bcf(160 Bcf或Kistos净2800万桶油当量)。
据Kistos介绍，该井预计将于2023年第三季度完工。Kistos的税后净干孔成本预计约为250万英镑，这是由于该公司的纳税状况和能源利润税提高的投资补贴。
Kistos执行主席Andrew Austin表示：“我们对Benriach油井正在进行感到兴奋。这对公司来说是一个重要的里程碑，有可能增加大量储量。我期待着在适当的时候向利益相关者更新油井的结果。”
2009年建造的Transocean Barents钻井平台采用Aker H-6e设计。它是在阿克-克瓦纳-斯托德建造的，可容纳140人。该钻机能够在高达10000英尺的水深下作业，最大钻井深度为30000英尺。
作为提醒，TotalEnergies于2022年1月披露了将其在多个气田的部分权益出售给Kistos的决定。该交易于2022年7月完成，当时Kistos透露，它已经收购了大拉格根地区(GLA)和相关基础设施20%的权益，以及某些其他勘探许可证的各种权益，包括Benriach油田25%的权益。
位于设得兰群岛西北125公里处的大拉格根地区油田——拉格根、托莫尔、埃德拉多尔和格伦利特——位于约300至625米的水深。
另一方面，之前预计将于2022年底做出关于格伦德罗纳赫油田的开发决定，预计将于2023年晚些时候做出，以便进行进一步的技术审查，以降低成本。
原文如下：
French energy giant TotalEnergies has started drilling a prospect off the coast of the United Kingdom (UK), using one of Transocean’s semi-submersible rigs.
At the start of 2023, TotalEnergies, as the operator of the Benriach well located in Block 206/05c West of Shetland, confirmed the decision to spud the well early in 2Q 2023. To this end, a contract for a rig, which was expected to drill the well in early summer, was inked.
In an update on Wednesday, 29 March 2023, TotalEnergies’ partner, Kistos, disclosed that the Benriach exploration well was spudded by Transocean’s Transocean Barents semi-submersible rig. The well is targeting P50 prospective resources of 638 Bcf (160 Bcf or 28mmboe net to Kistos).
According to Kistos, the well is expected to complete in 3Q 2023. The dry hole post-tax cost net to Kistos is forecast to be about £2.5 million as a result of the firm’s tax-paying position and the enhanced investment allowances from the Energy Profits Levy.
Andrew Austin, Kistos’ Executive Chairman, remarked: “We are excited that the Benriach well is underway. It is an important milestone for the company with the potential to add significant reserves. I look forward to updating stakeholders with the results of the well in due course.”
The 2009-built Transocean Barents rig is of Aker H-6e design. It was constructed at Aker Kvaerner Stord and can accommodate 140 people. The rig is capable of operating in water depths of up to 10,000 ft and its maximum drilling depth is 30,000 ft.
As a reminder, TotalEnergies’ decision to sell some of its interests in multiple gas fields to Kistos was disclosed in January 2022. The deal was completed in July 2022 when Kistos revealed that it had acquired a 20 per cent interest in the Greater Laggan Area (GLA) and associated infrastructure alongside various interests in certain other exploration licences, including a 25 per cent interest in the Benriach prospect.
Located up to 125 km northwest of the Shetland Islands, the producing Greater Laggan Area fields – Laggan, Tormore, Edradour and Glenlivet – are situated in water depths of approximately 300 to 625 metres.
On the other hand, the development decision regarding the Glendronach field, which was previously anticipated by the end of 2022, is expected to be taken later in 2023 to allow further technical reviews to be undertaken with the aim of reducing costs.
