Heritage Ramps Up Production With Well 363 In Zapadno Chumpasskoye Field

Heritage Oil Plc (LSE: HOIL), an independent upstream exploration and production company, announced that the drilling and testing of horizontal Well 363 has been completed in the Zapadno Chumpasskoye Field in Russia, resulting in a significant increase in production.

The drilling and testing of the first horizontal well in the Zapadno Chumpasskoye Field has completed and results have exceeded pre-drill expectations. Production from the field is currently c.1,600 bopd, which is a significant increase on the level achieved in the first quarter of 431 bopd. Well 363 is currently producing at a controlled rate of 1,205 bopd.

During the flow test, the well produced at rates of up to 1,405 bopd and the well potential has been calculated to be 2,365 bopd. Currently, we plan to drill a further horizontal well in the field in the fourth quarter.

Historical development of this reservoir throughout the region has been through conventional drilling on a grid pattern. Heritage recognised a potential opportunity to improve the efficiency and economics of field development by utilising horizontal drilling technology, thus decreasing the number of wells and the total cost required to develop the field while potentially improving recovery. The previous reserves review and development plan undertaken by RPS Energy in June 2009 will be updated in due course incorporating the results of well 363 and management expect these results will
increase the valuation of the field.

Tony Buckingham, chief executive officer, commented: 'We are delighted that the first horizontal well drilled on the field has surpassed our expectations and provided a step change in our production levels. This is the fourth well we have drilled on the licence and its success indicates this is the best technique to optimise development of the field. We look forward to further increases in production with the next horizontal well scheduled to spud in the fourth quarter.'