Both Rochelle field development wells in the UK North Sea have been completed and tied into the subsea manifold, according to partner Endeavour. The East (E2) and West (W1) wells are connected to the Scott platform.

In the run-up to installation and start-up of the E2 well, the W1 well was shut-in earlier this year. During the restart of gas/condensate production, investigations revealed that a valve was stuck in the “shut” position on the outlet side of the Rochelle production manifold.

An attempt to open the valve manually was unsuccessful and the operator is negotiating for an intervention vessel to re-open it. Continuing stormy weather in the North Sea continues to hamper service vessels’ efforts to bring Rochelle back into production.

“While the current situation regarding the Rochelle infrastructure is frustrating, operating safely within the North Sea environment is paramount,” said William L. Transier, Endeavour’s chairman, CEO and president. “We are confident that the valve will be repaired and that the field’s production will resume.”