New operator Angus Energy announced that flow testing at appraisal well Balcombe-2Z (LR/30-5Z) had concluded on 2 October 2018. Seven days of testing revealed flows at 853 boe/d and 1,587 boe/d during two separate test runs. Testing commenced on 24 September 2018 and although the partners have indicated that the results are encouraging, potential further testing may be required. Angus received approval to test on 21 September 2018 from West Sussex County Council (WSCC). Angus Energy completed the farm in for 25% share of Balcombe Field, by acquiring 18.75% and operatorship of PEDL244 from Cuadrilla Resources and 6.25% from AJ Lucas Group on 10 May 2018. The total combined consideration was GBPS 4 million (US$ 5.6 million) and Angus will also fund the well test program. Balcombe-2Z (Cuadrilla, 2013) horizontal well drilled to 823m MD, with extended delays to its planned flow testing. The Balcombe 2Z well attracted three months of protests by local residents, and new permission to flow test was granted in May 2014, after it was unsuccessfully challenged by the local residents in a judicial review. Permission expired when work had not commenced by May 2017, primarily due to Cuadrilla directing its resources on start-up of operations at its Lancashire site. Balcombe-1 (Conoco, 1986) discovered oil in Late Jurassic Kimmeridge micrite, and following completion of the Balcombe-2 appraisal, Cuadrilla believes they constitute a conventional oil accumulation most likely within a structural closure or combination trap in low porosity limestone, requiring no fracking. The Balcombe planning application covers a flow test of existing exploration well, plugging the well and full site restoration. PEDL244 partners are Angus Energy Weald Basin No3 Ltd (25% + Op), Cuadrilla Balcombe Ltd (56.25%) and Lucas Bolney Ltd (18.75%).
Balcombe 2z (Angus 25% op. Cuadrilla 56,25%, Lucas Bolney 18,75%) in PEDL 244, the 7-day flow test programme for this horizontal well (horizontal leg was drilled through the Middle Kimmeridge Micrite Limestone for a distance of 518 m) revealed a natural flow at 853 boe/d. A second flow period was undertaken with the well flowing naturally at 1587 boe/d. Based on the results of this flow test, it can isolate the water producing zone and establish commercial production under normal pumped production conditions.