Total: ‘Difficult’ North Sea well ‘under full control’

Total E&P UK on Friday experienced what it says were difficulties while drilling one of its North Sea wells.

Following several reports that Total was fighting at its Elgin platform to put a well under control, Offshore Energy Today reached out to the company seeking further info.

This is what the company’s spokesperson said: “Total has encountered difficulties whilst drilling a well on its Central Graben asset. The well remains under full control at the surface and the situation is under continuous review.

“Wireline measurements carried out inside the drill string indicate some flow exists within the well which means part of the well may need to be plugged and abandoned.”

Total’s assets in the Central Graben Area of the North Sea comprise the Elgin, Franklin, Glenelg & West Franklin fields, and are located 240 kilometers east of Aberdeen.

Production started in 2001 and, according to Total, the Elgin/Franklin field was the first high pressure-high temperature (HP/HT) offshore
development in the world.

Offshore Energy Today Staff