UKOG completes drilling operations for Horse Hill-2z well

Exploration firm UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) has completed drilling operations of its Horse Hill-2z Portland horizontal well.

The well has been drilled to approximately 2,500ft within the Portland reservoir’s oil productive zone.

Drilling has unveiled more than 70 times greater exposure to the oil productive zone compared with that of the HH-1 Portland vertical discovery well.

UKOG noted that all the technical objectives have been fulfilled during the horizontal drilling campaign.

Upon completion of a comprehensive electric logging programme, the HH-2z is now in the process to undergo an extensive extended well test (EWT) programme soon.

The EWT process will use a UK-designed high-capacity/high-rate downhole electric pump or electrical submersible pump (ESP).

According to UKOG, oil production from the HH-1 EWT has continued throughout the drilling campaign of HH-2/2z drilling. It will also continue simultaneously with the EWT phase of HH-2z.

Total aggregate test production capacity of HH-1 stands at more than 77,200 barrels.

UKOG CEO Stephen Sanderson said: “We are delighted to have safely and successfully delivered a significant 2,500ft of horizontal section within the Portland reservoir’s sweet-spot, the prime 35ft zone containing the reservoir’s most oil productive sandstones.

“The significant horizontal trajectory, combined with the continued positive indications of increased reservoir quality and lower pressure-depletion, effectively negated any technical or economic need to attain the maximum planned circa 3,000ft horizontal section.

“As a result, HH-2z remains optimally placed to be able to deliver its goal of significantly higher flow rates than the highly productive HH-1 vertical discovery.”

The company owns an 85.635% controlling interest in the Horse Hill field. It also owns a controlling stake in the surrounding PEDL137 and PEDL246 licences.

These licences are operated by UKOG subsidiary Horse Hill Developments.