Providence Resources suspends drilling of Singleton well in the UK

Irish oil and gas firm Providence Resources has suspended the X12 development well on its Singleton oilfield in Weald Basin, onshore UK.

The well was suspended above the primary target after technical downtime due to equipment failures and down-hole mechanical issues, which impeded planned operations and time limits outlined in the approved planning consents, together with the rig contract limitations.

The oilfield well had encountered a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir interval, but the company said that due to technical issues, casing could not be run through the overburden above the field to complete the well.

Providence Resources technical director John O’Sullivan said the X12 development well is the most ambitious and challenging well to have been designed and drilled on the Singleton field.

"Notwithstanding the operational problems experienced by the drilling team, the X12 well has geologically confirmed our reservoir depth model for the south-west flank of the Singleton field," he added.

"Obviously, this temporary suspension will have the effect of delaying planned production increases from Singleton in 2012, and so the team is now revising the forward well work programme so as to endeavour to meet overall production growth targets for Singleton."

Providence said it has already begun a detailed evaluation of the rig drilling and subsurface data to determine the reasons for the technical problems, and methods to be adopted in the future.

An updated planning application will be prepared and submitted for approvals to resume drilling and establish production from the well, including other well re-entries and stimulations, expected to commence in early 2013.

Providence holds a 100% stake in the Singleton field and operates it through its subsidiary PR Singleton.