Angus Energy receives approval for drilling second well at Lidsey oil field, UK

Independent onshore oil and gas development company Angus Energy has obtained approval from West Sussex County Council for the proposed drilling of the second well, the new Lidsey-X2 onshore production well at the Lidsey Oil Field near Bognor Regis, southern UK.

The company has received planning consent for the development and operation of a three wellhead and beam pump oil production facility in addition to ancillary works at its Lidsey Oil Field.

In accordance with the planning consent, the first well has already been drilled at the site (Lidsey-X1) and the tophole / cellar has been completed and installed to enable a second well to be drilled (Lidsey-X2).

This second well is planned to be drilled to a depth of approximately 1,000m and will target the upper crest of the Great Oolite reservoir.

Lidsey-X2 will also assess the Kimmeridge formation located above the Great Oolite reservoir.

Angus Energy chairman Jonathan Tidswell-Pretorius said: “We welcome the news from West Sussex County Council.

"The Lidsey-X2 well fully aligns with our business plan of providing low-cost, low geological risk, long-term conventional oil production.

“Lidsey-X2 will target the upper crest of the producing Great Oolite reservoir and will also pass through the Kimmeridge layers, allowing us to electronically log the layers and sample the drill cuttings for a detailed comparison to the encouraging results Angus encountered at Brockham-X4Z.

“Subject to Environmental Agency consent and approval from the Health and Safety Executive for Lidsey-X2 (both are in process), we will ask the Oil and Gas Authority for consent to drill Lidsey-X2.”

As per Condition 8 of the planning consent, prior approval is required from West Sussex County Council for details of the drilling rig and equipment and the period of their use to drill additional wells.

Angus Energy currently has a 50% interest in the Lidsey oil field. It has an option to acquire a further 10% interest in the Lidsey oil field from Terrain Energy.