Centrica Energy has started drilling a new well from the York gas field in the southern North Sea, offshore England, after nearly £80million of investment.
The new well, the fourth at York, will tap an additional 20 Bcf of gas and extend the life of the field out to 2020. Drilling, using the Paragon B391 jackup drilling rig, is expected to be completed early next year.
Gas from the field is piped ashore at Easington terminal, where it is processed and sent on to the National Grid by Centrica Storage.
Work is also in the pipeline to install new equipment at the terminal.
A new gas compressor is also due to be installed early next year, boosting the amount of gas which can be produced from York by another 10 billion cubic feet.
Jonathan Lilley, Wells Director for Centrica Energy in the UK and the Netherlands, said: “Drilling a fourth well at York is a great example of how we’re getting more gas out of the North Sea. The new reserves this will unlock mean gas will continue to flow from the field to the Easington Terminal for years to come.”
First gas from York was produced in March 2013.