Ithaca Energy Inc. has completed flow test operations on the second development well on the Stella field in the UK North Sea, the company said in a news release.

The well, A2, flowed at a maximum rate of 10,442 boe/d on a 44/64-in choke, with the full production potential of the well limited by the capacity of the well test equipment on the drilling rig, the release said. The rate comprised 7,281 b/d and 19 MMscf/d of associated gas. The oil is of high quality, approximately 39° API.

The flow test results achieved on the first two Stella development wells substantially de-risk the initial annualized production forecast of approximately 30,000 boe/d (100%), 16,000 boe/d net to Ithaca, from the four wells planned for start-up of the GSA hub, the release said.

A2 drilling operations were executed according to plan, with only the harsh weather conditions that have recently effected operations across the North Sea slowing the completion of the scheduled flow test, Ithaca said. Following suspension of the A2 well, the ENSCO 100 will be moved approximately 3 km (2 miles) to the Stella northern drilling center location to drill the third and fourth development wells.

Offshore