Successful start of drilling on Gudrun
After a successful rig placement under favorable weather conditions, the West Epsilon rig started the first drilling operations early September.
A new milestone has therefore been reached in the Gudrun project.
- To get the rig installed in time was one of the critical success factors for this project, and I am very satisfied to see that this is achieved even ahead of schedule. Now we are really looking forward to start receiving information about the subsurface - to be able understand the reservoir better in order to maximize the recovery of the reserves in the field, says Head of Asset, Atle Sonesen.
All the seven planned production wells on the Gudrun field will be pre-drilled through the facility’s steel jacket before installation of the platform deck in 2013.
The entire drilling program will extend beyond 2014. Production of oil and gas is planned to start in the first quarter of 2014. In addition to the seven wells on Gudrun, work is now being carried out obtain approval for drilling a production well on the Brynhild discovery.
The partners in the Gudrun license are Statoil 75% (operator) and GDF SUEZ E&P Norge 25%.
Read the press release from Statoil here