In a statement, Apache said the well is the seventh development well brought on production at Forties this year, adding that the bore's initial production rate is the field's highest since 1994.

"The Forties Charlie 6-3 confirmed Apache's analysis of 4D time-lapse seismic and reservoir engineering data, which highlighted the potential for similar stranded oil accumulations in close proximity to the Charlie platform," Rod Eichler, Apache's co-chief operating officer and president - International said in a statement.

"Three similar targets are among Apache's current inventory of 79 drilling targets at Forties."

An eighth well - the Forties Alpha 2-5 - recently logged 115 feet of high-quality pay in the Delta-Echo Channel and the Upper Main sands. The well is being completed and is expected to be brought on stream around 1 July.

Since acquiring Forties in 2003, Apache has invested over $1.2 billion towards infrastructure-related projects that have significantly improved the field's operating efficiency and process system reliability.

At the time of the acquisition, Forties was producing about 40,000 bpd. It is now pumping more than 70,000 bpd

Source: Upstream

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