All three of Maersk Oil's Culzean high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) development jackets have been installed in the UK North Sea.
Maersk says they were installed on time and on budget, about 145mi east of Aberdeen and is estimated to produce between 60,000-90,000 boe/d at plateau production and produce for at least 13 years.
The installation of central processing facilities (CPF) and the utilities and living quarters (ULQ) jackets - together weighing 22,000-tonne - was completed on 20 July, while the wellhead platform (WHP) jacket was installed last year. All three jackets were built by Heerema and installed using the Heerema Marine operated crane vessel; the Thialf.
The Culzean reservoir was discovered in 2008, about 4300m below sea level, and is 13,500 psi and 175°C. It sits in about 88m water depth.
Martin Urquhart, Culzean Project Director says: “With the foundation of the Culzean installation firmly in place and waiting, focus is now fixed on finalizing the construction of the three topsides and the floating, storage and offload (FSO) vessel Ailsa. We have just celebrated the completion of the deck stacking of the topsides and the sail away of these structures is on schedule for next year. Their installation will take us to the beginning of the hook up and commissioning campaign, the final step before first gas is delivered in 2019.”
“Culzean was sanctioned less than two years ago and already we’ve progressed the project over the halfway mark. We’re continuing to hit our milestones on time and this progress means we’re on track to deliver first gas in 2019. Nonetheless with a project of this size we can’t be complacent so we’re committed to ensuring remaining workscopes are executed safely and successfully,” said Gretchen Watkins, CEO, Maersk Oil.
Urquhart adds: “From the design phase we’ve been focused on future proofing the Culzean installation – these jackets have a design life of over 40 years, much higher than a typical jacket so will be comfortably capable of serving the duration of production.”
Maersk Oil is operator (49.99%) and co-venturers are BP (Britoil) (32%) and JX Nippon (18.01%).
Read more:
Culzean jackets set sail to North Sea
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