May. 2013 - Production from Apache's 100-percent-owned Tonto oil field in the UK North Sea began April 24, 2013. The Tonto-1 well was brought on stream at an initial rate of 10,346 bopd. Tonto-1 was drilled as a deviated well from the Forties Bravo platform and encountered 62 feet of net oil pay in Eocene sandstone. This was followed by a horizontal completion lateral that logged 243 feet of net oil pay. The Tonto reservoir lies above the Paleocene Forties reservoir and was penetrated several times while drilling Forties development wells. Apache plans to drill an additional development well before the end of 2013.

Aug. 2012 - Apache has completed a horizontal well on the Bacchus field which has increased production to 12,900 bopd. The well, Bacchus West, penetrated Jurassic-aged Fulmar reservoir sandstones and logged 889 feet (271 meters) of net pay in three sections. The well currently is producing about 8,500 barrels of oil per day. The first well on the field, Bacchus South, commenced production in May 2012 and reached levels of about 6,000 bopd. Currently the well is producing nearly 4,400 barrels per day. Bacchus is subsea tied-back to the Forties Alpha platform. The Rowan Gorilla VII (450' ILC) jackup will relocate to the Aviat shallow gas discovery for appraisal drilling.

May. 2012 - Apache has commenced production from the first development well on the Bacchus field, located in Block 22/06a in the UK sector of the North Sea. Initial production rates over the first five days were approximately 6,000 gross bopd. When the full field development is completed and online, the company will be able to provide reliable long-term sustainable production estimates. Furthermore, the company has commenced development drilling on the second production well on the field and expects for it to come online in 3Q 2012.

Mar. 2012 - Apache North Sea awarded EnerMech a contract to supply and install four new Blow Out Prevent handling cranes on the Forties Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta platforms. The project is scheduled for completion in 1Q 2013. The platforms are situated on the Forties field in the UK sector of the North Sea.

Nov. 2011 - Apache is currently drilling production wells on the Bacchus field in Block 22/06a in the Central North Sea. Based on the rate of progress with drilling the production wells, first production is expected to begin early next year. The development will be tied-back to the Forties Alpha platform. Apache operates the block.

Jul. 2011 - Apache has completed two development wells, Charlie 4-3 and Delta 3-5 at the Forties field in the UK sector of the North Sea. Well Charlie 4-3 commenced production at a rate of 12,567 bopd while Delta 3-5 is flowing oil at a rate of 8,781 bopd. When Apache acquired Forties in 2003, the field was producing 40,000 bopd. With the onset of these new wells, total daily production rates have reached a high rate of 70,000 barrels of oil equivalent, even with production constraints due to construction projects and temporary pipeline closures, stated the operator. Apache expects the availability of maximum transmission capacity during the third quarter of 2011, as planned repair and maintenance work is completed and the Bravo pipeline comes back online. Apache holds a 97.14% interest in the Forties field.

Mar. 2011 - Apache announced that interim repair work on the Forties Bravo to Charlie pipeline was completed, and production from the platform is ramping up to nearly 50% of the pre-outage rate of 11,600 bopd. The replacement pipeline is scheduled for completion in September 2011, when the balance of the oil production is expected to be restored. The Forties field is situated on the UK Block 21/10 in a water depth of 106 meters, 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Aberdeen. Apache North Sea Limited holds a 97.14% interest of the field and serves as the operator; Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited holds 2.61%; and Shell U.K. Limited holds the remaining .25%.

Feb. 2011 - Endeavour Energy has received the necessary approvals to finalize the acquisition of an additional 20% working interest in the Bacchus field in the North Sea from Shell UK Limited. Endeavour will now hold a total working interest of 30% in the project. The field development plan, calling for three wells tied-back to the Forties Alpha platform, was approved in June 2010 and first oil is expected in mid-2011. As for field development, the pipeline riser was installed on the Forties Alpha platform and the 4 mile (6.5 kilometer) subsea bundled pipeline construction was completed. The pipeline is scheduled to leave Scotland in early March. Apache owns a 70% working interest in Bacchus; and Endeavour owns the remaining interest.

Nov. 2010 - Apache North Sea has selected AMEC to perform project management, engineering and procurement for the design and implementation of brownfield modifications to the Forties Alpha platform. The modifications will facilitate the connection of Apache's new bridge-linked satellite platform to the existing Forties Alpha platform. The Forties field is situated on the UK Block 21/10 in a water depth of 106 meters, 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Aberdeen. Apache North Sea Limited holds a 97.14% interest of the field and serves as the operator; Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited holds 2.61%; and Shell U.K. Limited holds the remaining .25%.

Nov. 2010 - Endeavour Energy UK Limited has signed an agreement to acquire an additional 20% working interest in the Bacchus development, increasing its stake to 30%. The Bacchus development is a three well subsea development tied-back to the Forties Alpha platform. The project, operated by Apache, has received field development approval and is expected to come online next year. Additionally, the company has also acquired a 30% interest in Block 21/9 containing the Val d'Isere exploration prospect, as part of the same transaction. The block is near the Forties and Bacchus developments. The Forties field is situated on the UK Block 21/10 in a water depth of 348 feet (106 meters), 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Aberdeen.

Nov. 2010 - OGN Group was selected by Apache to build a new satellite oil production platform for the UK Forties field. The platform will be bridge-linked to the existing Forties Alpha installation. "This project will provide Apache with 18 new slots for drilling additional development wells to increase the ultimate recovery from the prolific Forties field, the largest hydrocarbon discovery in the UK sector of the North Sea," stated Apache. The operator recently completed and processed time-lapse 4D seismic surveys at the field and along with the additional drilling slots, the outlook is to maintain daily oil production at a rate of 60,000 bopd during the subsequent three-plus years, noted the operator. The satellite platform will expand critical utility services to the field, including power generation, produced fluid processing, high-pressure gas compression for artificial lift, and dehydration. The platform's construction is scheduled for completion by mid-year 2012. The platform will then be towed and installed at the Forties field. Apache North Sea Limited holds a 97.14% interest of the field and serves as the operator; Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited holds 2.61%; and Shell U.K. Limited holds the remaining .25%.

Jun. 2010 - The United Kingdom Department of Energy and Climate Control approved plans for the development of the Bacchus oil field in Block 22/6a in the Central North Sea. Development plans call for three wells to be drilled and connected to production facilities at the nearby Forties field. First production is planned for the first half of 2011. Apache operates the block, holding a 70% interest.

Jun. 2010 - Apache has commenced production from its Maule field, located in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea, which came online about eight months after its discovery in October 2009. Field development of Maule consisted of drilling a well and tying it back to existing infrastructure on the Forties field. The field is flowing at a rate of 11,750 bopd. Apache owns 100% interest in the field.

Jun. 2010 - Apache will proceed with development of the Bacchus field, located about 6 kilometers (4 miles) northeast of the Forties Alpha platform. The operator will drill three horizontal subsea wells tied-back to Forties Alpha via a pipeline bundle. First oil is expected in mid-2011. Apache owns a 70% working interest in Bacchus; Shell owns 20%; and Endeavour owns the remaining 10%.

Jun. 2010 - RBG received a contract from Apache North Sea to manufacture two 130-meter long risers to replace existing risers on the Forties Bravo and Forties Charlie platforms. The contract is scheduled for completion at the end of July 2010, and the risers will be deployed onto an installation vessel prior to hook-up. The Forties field is situated on the UK Block 21/10 in a water depth of 348 feet (106 meters), 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Aberdeen. Apache North Sea Limited holds a 97.14% interest of the field and serves as the operator; Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited holds 2.61%; and Shell U.K. Limited holds the remaining .25%.

Apr. 2010 - Altra Energy received a FEED contract for the new satellite production platform for Apache's Forties field. Altra Energy joined forces with EPIC contractor SLP North Sea Ltd to secure the contract. The satellite project consists of front-end engineering of the topside and bridge of the platform, with delivery and sanction from Apache leading to the next phase, which includes detailed engineering and commissioning work. Engineering will commence this month, with platform completion and first oil targeted in 2012. The Forties field is situated on the UK Block 21/10 in a water depth of 348 feet (106 meters), 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Aberdeen. Apache North Sea Limited holds a 97.14% interest of the field and serves as the operator; Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited holds 2.61%; and Shell U.K. Limited holds the remaining .25%.

Sep. 2009 - Expro was awarded a multi-million pound contract by Apache North Sea Ltd in the UK North Sea following completion of a competitive tender process. The contract, worth approximately US $7.5 million annually, mainly covers work on the Forties field. It sees Expro providing wireline services and establishing an alliance with another leading provider to deliver coiled tubing and pumping services for Apache. In total, 24 offshore employees will be dedicated to this contract. The contract has a firm duration of three years with two optional one-year extensions.

Jun. 2009 - Apache confirmed that its Forties Charlie 6-3 well has commenced production at a rate of 10,500 bopd. The well is the seventh development well brought on production at Forties in 2009; its initial production rate is the field's highest since 1994. These new wells are contributing to the field's current strong production of more than 70,000 barrels per day. An eighth well -- the Forties Alpha 2-5 -- recently logged 115 feet (35 meters) of high-quality pay in the Delta-Echo Channel and the Upper Main sands. The well is being completed and is expected to commence production around July 1.