(UK) - BP and partner Iranian Oil Co. UK Ltd. say that gas production and export had begun from the North Sea Rhum field, the UK's largest undeveloped gas discovery.
The Rhum development is a subsea tieback to the BP-operated Bruce field and is expected to access recoverable reserves of 800 bcf of gas.
Gas will be exported onward from Bruce via the Frigg pipeline system to St. Fergus and associated condensate will be piped via Bruce into the Forties Pipeline System.
With the combination of a high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) gas reservoir developed using a long distance subsea tie-back, Rhum is a world first.
BP's Director for North Sea operations, Dave Blackwood, says Rhum represents a new type of development for BP in the North Sea.
"Rhum has presented a unique set of challenges for us in dealing with high reservoir pressures and temperatures, combined with the length of subsea tie-back, and the modifications required on the Bruce platform."
The Rhum field is located 240 mi northeast of Aberdeen in 109 m (350 ft) of water.
Plateau production of 300 MMcf/d is expected from the field.
BP is operator and 50 % interest holder in the Rhum field, along with partner Iranian Oil Co. UK Ltd. (50%).
12/27/05
