Rockhopper has trouble with its little perforations

24th Sep 2010 07:46

Rockhopper Exploration, the fast growing North Falkland Basin oil and gas exploration company, has had a few technical problems with its flow test on well 14/10-2.The test was carried out on the "Sea Lion 1" well over four perforated intervals totalling 77m between 2,403m and 2,566m, but upon retrieving the perforating guns, a gun misfire was apparent and only the top two intervals were found to have been perforated.As a result the lower two intervals did not contribute to the flow, which means the results are not as impressive as they might otherwise have been.The well was flowed for about 18 hours without incident and for sustained periods of over 2,000 barrels per day (BOPD) with a maximum rate of 2,304 BOPD. The final flowing wellhead pressure was about 120 poundss per square inch absolute.However, Rockhopper estimates that without the technical difficulties the well could have flowed at around 4,000 BOIPD.Rockhopper also believes that, with a more optimal well location and horizontal well completions, significantly higher flow rates could be achieved from future production wells.