LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Providence Resources PLC (PZQA.DB), an oil and gas exploration and production company, said Thursday it started drilling a new well Wednesday at the Singleton field, onshore U.K. which is expected to provide up to 500 barrels of oil equivalent per day, or BOEPD, of additional cumulative production. MAIN FACTS: -Singleton field is located in the Weald Basin and currently produces up to 900 BOEPD. -Field is operated by Providence (99.125%), with partner Noble Energy Inc (NBL) (0.8725%). -Drilling program, using the KCA Deutag T49 drilling rig, comprises the drilling of a new multi-lateral horizontal production well to the south west. -Drilling operations are expected to take up to 100 days and will entail the drilling of a main well-bore of 16,800 ft length, which should provide upwards of 4,000 ft gross exposure to the hydrocarbon reservoir. -A subsequent lateral is also planned which should provide a further 4,000 ft of gross reservoir exposure. -New well has been designed to allow for future acid stimulation, thereby providing further incremental production potential. -Well should see Company boosting production levels to 1,500 BOEPD through a series of initiatives at the field, including new wells, de-gasification of the plant and acid stimulation. -Shares at 0805 GMT unchanged at 227 cents valuing the company at EUR113.07 million. -By Ian Walker, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9296; ian.walker@dowjones.com
