One of the largest platforms in the North Sea has ceased production today, as its operator prepares to decommission the field.
The 254m-high, from seabed to flare-tip, Murchison platform is in Block 211/19, in the East Shetland basin, in the northern North Sea, 190km north-east of the Shetland Islands.
It comprises 26 topside modules, for drilling, production, and accommodation for 263 people, weighing 24,500-tonne, supported on an eight-legged steel jacket, weighing 27,600-tonne, in 156m water depth.
The Murchison field was discovered in July 1975, with first production, operated by Conoco (UK), in 1980. At its height, the Murchison platform produced 150,383 bbl/d, a peak reached on 26 December 1982.
Over its life, it has produced around 400MM bbl, from 98 production wells, representing a recovery factor of over 50%.
Oil from Murchison was transported via the Brent Pipeline System to the BP-operated Sullom Voe terminal, on the Shetland Islands, for processing and storage, before onward sale.
CNR International became operator of Murchison in 2002. An asset integrity management, reservoir management, well repair, and infill drilling campaign saw the field life extended by 10 years, delivering more than 22MM bbl during this period.
CNRI plans to complete a decommissioning program on Murchison by 2019, with the jacket scheduled to be removed in 2017. The program will include 34 platform and one subsea well.
CNRI’s vice president of production operations, Dave Whitehouse, says: “Cessation of production is a major development, not only for CNRI but for the whole north sea sector, as the platform has been instrumental in the outstanding success achieved by the industry over the last three decades.
“On a more personal level, many workers will have fond memories of time spent on the Murchison, with the platform widely known for its working atmosphere and the tremendous camaraderie that exists amongst staff onboard.
“We will now move forward with delivering our decommissioning program, which will see the platform fully dismantled and removed from the North Sea within five years.”
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