Byron Energy has started with sidetrack well operations after failing to free the stuck drill pipe in its SM 6 #2 well located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
The well was spud in February 2016 with Hercules Offshore’s Hercules 205 jack-up drilling rig.
Byron Energy reported on March 18, 2016, that the drill pipe in the SM 6 #2 well became stuck at a depth of 8,039 feet (2,451 metres) Measured Depth (7,860 feet/2,396 metres True Vertical Depth), approximately 400 feet above the primary target reservoir, the G 20 Sand.
Over the last three days, Byron attempted to free the stuck drill pipe, but these attempts were unsuccessful, the company said.
Byron has begun side track operations at a depth of 7,949 MD feet (2,423 metres) Measured Depth (7,780 feet/2,372 metres) True Vertical Depth) after a successful back off of the drill-pipe. Byron said it planned to drill the sidetrack well bore, with a conventional 8 1/2″ diameter hole as originally planned, along a path parallel to the originally planned well-bore to a total Measured Depth of 9,516 feet (2,900 metres) (9,138 feet/2,785 metres True Vertical Depth.
On March 20, 2016, Byron was preparing to trip in the hole to set a cement kick off plug at a depth of 7,949 MD feet (2,423 metres) Measured Depth (7,780 feet/2,372 metres) True Vertical Depth). Drilling operations should resume later in the week after a required BOP test which will be performed as the cement cures, said the company.
The SM 6 #2 well is the first well to be drilled as part of Byron’s farm-out to Otto Energy announced on December 11, 2015.
SM 6 #2 is being drilled in water depth of approximately 65 feet (20 metres). The well is being drilled on a prospect in the south west corner of a major salt dome in SM 6, located offshore Louisiana, 216 km southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Byron, through its wholly owned subsidiary Byron Energy Inc. (the operator), currently has a 100% working interest and an 81.25% net revenue interest in SM 6. If Otto earns an interest in the SM 6 block, Byron’s working and net revenue interests will be reduced by 50% at the earn-in point, to 50% and 40.625% respectively.