Apr. 2013 - The UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) approved the field development plan for the Iona Energy-operated Orlando field. Additionally, the DECC approved Iona's application for Production Operator status. The field is located just over 6 miles north east of the Ninian Central platform in license P1606. Orlando will be developed as a tieback to the Ninian Central platform with first oil expected in 2014.

Feb. 2013 - Atlantic Petroleum announced completion of the previously announced acquisition of 25% working interest in the Orlando and Kells discoveries from Iona Energy. Orlando and Kells are located in license P1606 and P1607 in the UK North Sea. Additionally, Atlantic and Iona sanctioned the development of Orlando as a subsea tieback to the Ninian Central Platform. First oil from the field is expected near the end of 2014. Once online, the initial production rate is estimated at 10,000 Bopd. It is thought that development of the Kells discovery will be sanctioned later this year.

Feb. 2012 - The Orlando appraisal well was successfully cased with 9-5/8 inch casing and set at 11,230 feet, from which point an 8-1/2 inch hole has continued to a current measured depth of 13,206 feet, putting the well approximately 50 feet above the targeted Brent reservoir within the planned trajectory for the development well. Additional weather delays and mechanical issues have curtailed drilling activities. Drilling is suspended while rig repairs are under way. Drilling activities could resume within 7 days. Operational options being considered include suspending the well for completion on final development at a later date should any technical integrity have been compromised by the failure.

Nov. 2011 - MPX announced that the Orlando Appraisal well 3/3b-13 spudded on the 2nd November 2011. The deviated well is expected to take 45 days and is being drilled by the Awilco WilHunter. The well will be suspended for a future re-entry and conversion to a producing well once the Orlando Development commences. The predicted total depth is 14,245 ft or approximately 12,000 ft vertically. The well is targeting a producing Brent horizon that flowed at 2,800 bopd in the discovery well 3/3b-11. Once the well is drilled, the rig will transfer to the P1633 Group to drill the Timon exploration well in Block 211/11b.

Apr. 2011 - MPX Energy plans to drill an appraisal well on its Orlando discovery in Q3 2011 using the WilHunter semisub. Orlando is a fault-dip closure with a westerly dip, discovered by Chevron UK Ltd. in 1988/89 (well 3/3-11). The consortium is actively following an aggressive timeline in order to see the field developed by 2012 with first oil in 2013. Orlando is located on Block 3/3b in the UK sector of the North Sea.