Xcite Energy announces that, following the spudding of the Bentley 9/3b-7 well on 18 March 2012 with the Rowan Norway jack-up drilling rig, good progress has been made in drilling the 36″ hole and setting the 30″ conductor pipe.
The 26″ hole has been directionally drilled and the 20″ surface casing has been set and cemented satisfactorily.
Completion of these upper hole sections, safely and as planned, gives a firm foundation for the rest of the Phase 1A work programme planned to be undertaken within the 240 days initial term under the rig contract, which commenced in early March. Further news updates will be provided in due course.
Xcite Energy is 100% owner and operator of Block 9/3b, licence P.1078, containing the Bentley Field in its entirety. The block, which was awarded to XER in 2003 as part of the 21st UK Offshore Licensing Round, is located 160 km east of the Shetland Isles in 113 m of water.
[mappress] Source: XER, April 2, 2012