Production from the Nexen-operated North Sea Rochelle field is due to restart “in the next few days” following weeks of shut-in due to a closed valve.
The valve, which had remained stuck in the ‘shut’ position following a tie-in of a new well in the East Rochelle section, the E2, was opened earlier this week after an intervention by a diving support vessel.
Endeavour International, Nexen’s partner who holds a 44% working interest in the field, confirmed a pressure response in the well and said would restart production in a matter of days, followed by the West Rochelle W1 well.
The W1 came online in October last year with production at 65million to 70million cubic feet of gas per day and up to 3000 barrels of oil equivalent but shut down in January to allow the installation of E2.
The company was unable to restart production since due to difficult weather conditions in the North Sea.