06 October 2008
E.ON Ruhrgas UK North Sea Ltd as a co-venturer in the West Franklin field announces the successful completion of Well 29/5b-F9y. Total E&P UK Ltd, the operator of the field, reported significant increase in the field resource potential as a result of this well. The operator is moving rapidly to assess its options for further investment in the field by updating its current geological and engineering models. E.ON Ruhrgas UK is looking forward to a successful completion of these technical studies in early 2009.
ERUK North Sea Ltd has a 5.2 % share of the West Franklin Development. The field is located in Blocks 29/5b and 29/4b of the Central Graben Area of the UK North Sea 240 km East of the City of Aberdeen next to the prolific Elgin/Franklin fields in which E.ON Ruhgras UK is also partner.
The conditions in this reservoir are at temperatures of more than 200 degrees C and pressures of 1,150 bars. At a depth of 6 km, West Franklin is the deepest high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) development in the UKCS to date. Despite these extreme conditions, the well has produced at rates of up to 2.6 million cubic metres per day from the Upper Jurassic Fulmar reservoir.
All gas produced is sent to the neighbouring Elgin platform for processing and then exported 480 km through the 34 inch diameter SEAL (Shearwater and Elgin Area Line) to Shell's Bacton terminal on the East Coast of the UK. The liquids go north via BP's Forties Pipeline System.