The Vale of Pickering gas fields: Kirby Misperton, Malton, Marishes and Pickering, North Yorkshire, UK Onshore

Abstract

AbstractThe Vale of Pickering gas fields were discovered over a 20-year period. The development scheme was aimed to deliver 9.3 MMscfd gas to the Knapton Power Station nearby. Cumulative production is 30.3 bcf from an estimated 172 bcf gas initially in place. The gas fields comprise a series of low relief structures at depths around 5000 ft true depth subsea. The primary reservoir is Zechstein Group dolomitized and fractured carbonates of the Permian Kirkham Abbey Formation with average reservoir quality ranges of 12–13% porosity and 0.5–1.5 mD permeability. Secondary reservoirs exist in Carboniferous sandstones directly below the Base Permian Unconformity. The gas is sourced from Lower Carboniferous shales. The fields were discovered using 2D seismic data and subsequent 3D seismic data have been merged to form a 260 km2 dataset. Zechstein production has been limited by early water breakthrough. Artificial lift is planned to enhance the gas flow rate on the Pickering Field and anticipated water influx will be re-injected. If this enhanced gas recovery scheme is successful it can be applied to the other fields. Plans to hydraulically fracture a number of zones in the Carboniferous Lower Bowland Section are in progress.