UK-based Prospex Energy has announced the restart of gas production from the Viura-1B well in the Viura field, located in the La Rioja province of northern Spain.
The well, operated by HEYCO Energía Iberia, restarted and gradually increased output to 120,000m³ per day by 20 October.
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The ongoing start-up is expected to reach a production plateau of 180,000m³ per day within the week.
Prospex holds a 7.24% stake in the Viura field and is receiving 14.47% of the production income until its initial investment of around £8m ($10.72m), plus interest, is recovered.
Prospex CEO Mark Routh said: “The resumption of production from the Viura field is very welcome news. The operator safely removed the severed wireline cable from the well with no injuries or safety incidents, enabling recommencement of gas production from the well.
“Prospex’s share of production from Viura represents the largest contribution to the company’s portfolio of net production with the associated reinstatement of cash flow being particularly welcome news.”
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By GlobalDataViura, discovered in 2010 and developed over the following decade, is one of the only two producing onshore gas fields in Spain.
The Viura-1B well was shut down in April 2025 due to a tubing leak. This issue was resolved by replacing the production tubing and addressing complications in pressure control equipment.
Tests performed in August encountered an equipment issue in downhole wireline logging tools. The wireline cable was cut and left in the well to ensure well and site safety.
Since its initial operation in December 2024, the well has produced 30.2 million standard cubic metres of natural gas, equivalent to 1.1 billion cubic feet (bcf), with 154 million cubic feet (mcf) net to Prospex.
The operator estimates the field’s recoverable reserves to be 90bcf, with potential increases expected from further evaluations and updated reservoir models.
Earlier this year, Prospex Energy signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% of Tarba Energía, increasing its stake in European gas projects.
The deal involved Warrego Energy’s entire shareholding in Tarba, which holds investments in the El Romeral production concessions and associated gas-to-power plants in southern Spain.
