Results from an appraisal well on the Lancaster basement oil find in the U.K. West of Shetland region suggested the field could flow at up to 20,000 bbl/d from a single well.

Reporting detailed technical results from a test on the 205/21a-6 Lancaster appraisal well which was drilled during the second quarter, operator Hurricane Energy said the probe has demonstrated good quality reservoir which could deliver single well rates of 20,000 bbl/d, higher than initial expectations of well productivity.

A natural flow rate of 5,300 bbl/d was achieved from the well, and 9,800 bbl/d using an electric submersible pump.
Hurricane's chief executive Robert Trice suggests commercial production could commence with the addition of a further horizontal well, although the company, which operates Lancaster with 100% equity, also has a data room open to attract field partners.