Horse Hill well site. Photo: Eddie Mitchell
The leading partner behind the Horse Hill exploration site in Surrey has confirmed that operations have begun to test the flow of oil.
UK Oil & Gas Investments plc said in a statement this morning all equipment needed to test the so-called Gatwick Gusher well was now on site.
Previous tests in spring 2016 led to headlines about outstanding and unprecedented onshore flow rates. But the rates were achieved during test periods lasting only a matter of hours.
The extended well tests are expected to last about 150 days, finishing in November. According to the statement, they are expected to begin with the Portland formation, followed by two Kimmeridge Limestone zones, known as KL4 and KL3.
The statement said the tests aimed to confirm that the wellbore was connected to a commercially-viable oil volume in one or more of the zones. Data from the tests would also allow the first estimates of the reserve (technically and commercially-recoverable oil) in the Portland and Kimmeridge, the statement added.
The UKOG Executive Chairman, Stephen Sanderson, said:
“UKOG remains confident that the comprehensive long-term production testing campaign will provide the necessary data to fully assess Horse Hill’s Portland and Kimmeridge commerciality and help move the project towards timely production and positive cash flow.
“Horse Hill remains a fundamental and exciting part of the Company’s core portfolio and we look forward to a safe and positive test campaign.”
The statement said the test sequences would include:
- Short optimised rate test
- “Choked back” steady-state flow periods – to obtain data on the connected oil volume in each zone
- Long pressure build up tests
Oil produced during the tests would be sold on the “spot” oil market, UKOG said. Revenues would be used to offset the test costs.
UKOG said the tests would use for the first time in the UK what was described as a “new type of clean-burning enclosed flare”. The flare, using technology from landfill sites, had been developed by Landfill Systems, PW Well Test and UKOG. It is regarded as “best available practice” by the Environment Agency, UKOG said.
Protests
Slow walking protests flow tests in spring 2016. Photo: David Burr/Alamy Live News
The previous flow tests at Horse Hill saw environmental protests and the establishment of a protection camp nearby.
UKOG is currently seeking an injunction against protests outside Horse Hill, another oil site at Broadford Bridge in West Sussex, and company offices in Guildford.
The injunction has been challenged by six women from Sussex and Surrey and a hearing is expected next week.
DrillOrDrop page on the Horse Hill site – key facts and timeline
Categories: Industry
DRILL OR DROP? 
So , is this the big reveal ? Oh no that was Broadford Bridge.
Oh dear Jono, so much bitterness.
The sun is shining, the good folk of Sussex and Surrey are buzzing around in their 4X4s with their ski racks on their roofs to show their affluence, and the cyclists checking out the latest Lycra fashions.
I think exploration and testing may be two key words. Some will pay off, some will not. Bit like tidal lagoons.
Dear me the arch bitter bites?
Too much bitter perhaps?
Bit, Bitter, Bitterest.
Can anyone explain what “long pressure build up tests” are, please?
When you flow a well, it draws down the pressure. Shutting it in leads to a slow build up of pressure. That rate of build up gives info on the extent of the size of the reservoir. Its a basic way of evaluating the overall production possible from the well.
Probably, as half the people on here sound O&G industry interested…
We will soon know if it Gushes and I have a feeling tankers aren’t far off now 🙂
It is the Portland first so it won’t gush and from what I remember they are starting with a 475bopd pump.
thanks Mike, all relative.
4.2 magnitude earthquake registered today at Newdigate. Coincidence?
Leithhill
The BGS website says 2.6 ( long way off 4.2 ) and 5 KM deep.
So I suspect a coincidence, which is not difficult as the Weald has been drilled and producing oil for years.
Where did 4.2 come from? That would be about 50 times worse than a 2.6 and could cause light property damage.
It’s our second earthquake this year and I’ve lived in the area 25 plus years and we’ve never experienced them before.
I must admit I’ve now had to ask whether fracking is causing this? I’ve no factual knowledge of fracking which is why I’m asking the question – something in the area is changing.
It’s concerning that the epicentre of yesterday’s earthquake was right under Newdigate Primary School.
It started with a hiss, never thought it would come to this…
https://dwarshuis.com/earthquakes-groningen-gas-field/visualisation/
They took so long and don’t sound very excited about it… could be just hype?
The earth shook for a few all over the world today. Coincidence/celebration?
Makes you wonder how much infiltration has been achieved by the undercover police when you see so many comments that only seem aimed to discredit anyone who may have genuine concerns.
Sam-there is NO fracking underway within the UK. There is one site planned to test frack in Lancashire in the next few months. There are no sites in the South Of England that have fracked or have plans to frack.
There are numerous small oil wells in the South of England. The ones planned for the Weald are more of the same. The “same” have been producing oil for many years without any significant attention until some people decided to tag fracking (FALSELY) to them, and the new ones planned.
Around 200 minor earthquakes per year in UK, largely in Wales and Scotland. Sussex and Surrey have had a few, but not so many. I suspect the recent couple are the usual random events but two close together raises attention. There seems more concern this am that some had lived in the area for a long time and missed the only event of note! Bit cruel.
Really martin? How do we know what went on in the 38 sites that were permitted under the old 2013 environmental permits, because that has never been declared, nor were required to be declared, or even recorded? Nada, nothing, zilch. Who knows what went on in those and all other recently updated permit sites, because they are not saying and have made no records, and were never required to notify what they were doing, nor make records of anything they have done?
Fracking, in the USA terminology, not the crippled UK terminology, could have taken place since 2013 and we were never allowed to know it or challenge it, and there are no records?
What else was done on those sites?
“And is going on in the During the correspondence, it emerged that the site at Brockham near Dorking, operated by Angus Energy, was still using an old-style environmental permit.
Despite frequent government claims that the UK has a world class regulatory system, the EA said that under the old environmental permits, operators were not required to collect or maintain details on well stimulation or fluid reinjection.
The old permit also has no restrictions on how much acid could be used in a well and at what concentration. Nor does it require air or groundwater monitoring.
The Environment Agency (EA) began updating permits for existing oil and gas sites in 2013 and the process is still underway. The EA told DrillOrDrop there were still 38 old style permits in place. They are part of the review, which is due to be completed by the end of summer 2018, the EA said.”
That throws the whole recent earthquake issue into rather more sharp relief than denial doesnt it?
Well its a hot night and while i wait the imminent arrival of my colleagues, i think we should all ponder that little conundrum shouldn’t we?
Have a nice evening.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!