Ithaca Energy begins drilling Stella field

18th Jun 2013 08:16

Ithaca Energy has kicked off development drilling operations on its Stella field.The first of four wells has been drilled using the Ensco 100 heavy duty jack-up rig. Three horizontal wells are to be drilled into the oil rim of the field, along with one highly deviated gas-condensate well on the crest of the structure.Advanced Drilling Technology International, a subsidiary of the global drilling contractor Transocean, has been contracted to manage the drilling and completion operations under "turnkey" contract arrangements. Each well expected to take about 80-90 days to drill and complete before conducting flow tests. The joint venture partners in the Ithaca-operated Greater Stella Area include Dyas UK Limited (25.34%) and Petrofac Energy Developments (20%). It is anticipated to begin production next year, bringing Ithaca's output up to 25,000 barrels of oil a day.RD