Providence completes drilling in Irish Sea
Friday October 07 2005
The well was drilled on a structure thought to be an extension of the Lennox oil field, which is operated by BHP Billiton and is located just 3km to the east.
The two fields lie just off the coast of Liverpool in extremely shallow water, about 15 metres.
Lennox currently produces about 20,000 barrels of oil per day, while reserves at West Lennox are though to be in the region of 3m barrels of oil.
A statement yesterday from Providence, which holds a 10pc equity interest, said the operator of the well, Challenger Minerals, has imposed a "tight-hole confidential status" on the well due to commercial sensitivities.
Providence holds a 10pc equity interest in the field.
The objective of the appraisal well was to further delineate the extent of the field.
"The well results are being evaluated in relation to the future development of the field," a statement said.
In addition to West Lennox, the operator is preparing an exploration programme for the evaluation and potential drilling of the adjacent Crosby prospect on this licence in 2006.
This prospect is thought to contain about 15 million barrels.
- Pat Boyle
