Byron Energy advised that the Ensco 68 independent leg jack-up drilling rig arrived on location at South Marsh Island Block 71 (SM 71) on 26 November 2017 and is now pre-loaded and jacked up to working height over the SM71 F platform. Initial work involves driving conductor pipe over the SM71 F1 well to tie it back to the well bay and to protect it during drilling operations. Once that work is accomplished, the rig will skid over to the SM71 F2 slot and begin to drive 24” drive pipe prior to spudding.
The SM71 F2 well is being drilled to test two targets: the D5 Sand and the B65 Sand. The primary target in the F2 well is the D5 Sand which has been ascribed 625,000 barrels of oil equivalent net to Byron, in the probable category, by Collarini and will serve to extend the D5 proven reserves down-dip from the F1 well. The secondary target, the B65 Sand, has the potential to add significant reserves to the SM71 project. Collarini Associates, an independent petroleum engineering consultant (based in Houston, Texas) has attributed 1.6 million barrels of oil equivalent net to Byron as prospective resources in the B65 Sand. The 8,965 ft/2,733 metres MD (7,555 ft/2,303 metres TVD) F2 well is estimated to take approximately one month to drill total depth and evaluate from the spud date. Byron, through its wholly owned subsidiary Byron Energy Inc. is the operator of SM71 and has a 50% working interest and a 40.625% net revenue interest in SM 71. Otto Energy Limited group holds the remaining interest in SM 71. (Source: Byron Energy)