Byron Energy’s Gulf of Mexico well ready for production

Byron Energy has completed the SM 71 F1 well in the South Marsh Island Block 71 (SM 71) lease in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana. The well is now ready for production.

Byron Energy is the operator of the SM 71 lease with a 50 percent working interest and the other 50 percent interest in the lease is held by Otto Energy.

Otto Energy said on Thursday that a 70-foot measured depth interval of the D5 Sand was perforated on February 16 and sand control measures were pumped across the interval on February 18.

After rigging down the pumping equipment, 2 7/8″ production tubing was run in the well. All operations were successful, and after a short flow back that recovered completion fluids and oil, the F1 well was shut in by closing a surface controlled subsurface safety valve.

The Ensco 68 drilling rig was repositioned over the F1 well and operations to complete the well as a producing well began earlier this month.

Otto further said added that no production rates were determined during this phase of the project due to limited oil storage tank capacity currently on location. As each well is hooked into the production manifold and SM 71 lease pipelines, it will be individually tested, and optimal rates will be established based on reservoir pressure drawdown.

The F1 well is the first of three completions to be undertaken on the SM 71 F platform. Otto said that the Ensco 68 was preparing to skid into position over the SM 71 F2 well and completion operations in the B65 Sand would begin immediately. The SM 71 F3 well will be the last well completed for production.

Production in March

Final piping and instrumentation work on the SM 71 F platform is nearing completion. Production start-up is targeted for March 2018. It is anticipated that the three wells will utilize a high percentage of the SM 71 F platform’s oil and gas production capacity.

Otto’s managing director, Matthew Allen, said: “We are pleased with the progress being made by the joint venture operator, Byron Energy, in readying the recent discoveries in SM 71 for first production.

“Otto’s approach of investing in ready to drill, close to infrastructure prospects in the prolific Gulf of Mexico has delivered an excellent outcome at SM 71. Otto is working towards adding to the portfolio of opportunities in this region to continue the early success that has been achieved.”