Bayfield Starts Drilling Offshore Trinidad

The first well in Bayfield’s exploration and appraisal programme in the offshore Galeota Licence Area is expected to spud today (27 January 2012).

The Rowan Gorilla III is already on location and jacked-up in preparation for the drilling of the well, designated EG8, in approximately 135 ft of water to a total depth of approximately 8,700 ft (measured depth below rotary table) and is located close to the north east boundary of the licence area.

EG8 is a deviated exploration well intended to appraise the Lower Pliocene to Upper Miocene stacked shallow marine sandstone reservoirs encountered in previous offset wells EG2 (1978) and EG5 (1985). Both of these earlier wells encountered and tested gas at various levels and EG2 tested oil at a rate of 1,000 bopd from the E sand. In EG8, several primary exploration targets have been identified by direct hydrocarbon indicators highlighted through reprocessing of 3D seismic data acquired by Bayfield in 2010.

Following completion of this well, it is planned that the rig will be relocated approximately four kilometres south west of EG8 to drill the second well in Bayfield’s programme, designated EG7.

Exploration and appraisal drilling programme

In 2012, Bayfield expects to drill EG7, EG8 and at least one well to the north east of the Trintes field. The remaining wells required to fulfil its seven-well obligation are planned to be drilled in 2013.

As part of the process of refining its drilling plans, Bayfield has secured the approval of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs and its partner in the Galeota Licence, Petrotrin, to vary certain of the well programmes specified in the Licence Agreement and Farm-out Agreement, primarily to lessen the required depths, where geological data does not justify such targets. The well programmes and drilling schedule will be subject to continuing review by all parties and may be subject to further change based on the results of the initial wells.

The objective of the Company’s rig contracting strategy is to ensure, at a minimum, that a drilling unit is available in Trinidad to drill the wells required to satisfy the licence obligations and also to provide flexibility in relation to any additional appraisal and development drilling requirements Bayfield might wish to proceed with in the shorter term. Bayfield’s contract with Rowan meets these requirements and also allows for deployment of the rig to other Operators in Trinidad should the board consider it beneficial to secure a break in the programme to allow for fuller interpretation of well results and early consideration of development options for East Galeota.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 27, 2012; Image: Bayfield