Maintenance issues constrain Siri output

Offshore staff

STAVANGER -- Production from the Siri area fields in the Danish North Sea averaged 15,850 boe/d this summer, according to partner Noreco Energy.

Output has been impacted by limitations in the gas-handling capacity at the DONG Energy-operated Siri platform and the shut-in of the SCB-1 production well.

During a planned maintenance period in June, the low pressure bundle of a centrifugal compressor on the platform was replaced. Noreco says flare gas levels and lift gas availability have since improved, but an overhaul of the compressor will be needed to restore full production capacity. The work will likely be performed in January.

Shut-in of the SCB-1 subsea well was needed in order to repair a valve.

On the Hess-operated South Arne field in the same sector, average gross production this summer fell back to around 18,150 boe/d. Noreco says the causes were reduced water injection during the recent drilling campaign, and limited well maintenance activity, with the drilling rig preventing coil tubing clean-out and well configuration operations at the South Arne platform.

By the end of September, two new horizontal production wells had been completed, both undergoing acid stimulation ahead of a planned start-up next month.

Also in September, the Danish authorities approved the South Arne Phase III Field Development Plan. This involves drilling and completion of 11 new producers and injectors and the installation of two new unmanned wellhead platforms and interfield pipelines, all controlled from the Central South Arne processing and export platform. Final sanction of the project is expected later this year.

At the Maersk-operated Gita discovery in the Danish North Sea, Noreco says seismic re-processing is under way, involving four different surveys, with pre-stack depth migration to improve depth imaging. This should reduce depth uncertainty and assist appraisal well placement.

Another Danish sector operator, PA Resources, says it expects to drill two exploration wells on the Lille John and Broder Tuck prospects in licence 12/06 during 1Q 2011.

Planning is under way to contract a rig and to ensure availability of equipment with long-lead times. A 2D seismic pre-study of the two drilling areas was due to be performed this month.

10/28/2010