Dumbarton field extension begins production

Sept. 23, 2008
Production is under way from the first phase of a major extension of the Dumbarton field project, according to Maersk Oil North Sea UK.

Offshore staff

ABERDEEN, UK -- Production is under way from the first phase of a major extension of the Dumbarton field project, according to Maersk Oil North Sea UK.

The Dumbarton field is in blocks 15/20a and 15/20b of the UK sector of the North Sea. The extension project involves phased drilling of up to eight new horizontal production wells and up to a further two produced water disposal wells in the Dumbarton and nearby Lochranza fields.

"We are delighted with the progress of this extension project," says Kurt Normann Nielsen, MD of Maersk North Sea UK. "The first two wells are now onstream, increasing the total field production to over 40,000 b/d of oil."

With the additional two wells, Dumbarton now has seven horizontal producers and two deviated water injection wells.

The drilling program for the first part of the new development began in Spring 2008, using existing subsea infrastructure. The second phase drilling will continue into 2009.

As part of the project Maersk Oil also plans to develop the Lochranza discovery in block 15/20a by drilling two horizontal production wells, tied back to the Dumbarton subsea facilities, subject to receiving final government approvals.

09/23/2008