Offshore staff
WINDSOR, UK – Centrica has completed acquisition of Total’s interest in the Seymour field in the UK North Sea.
This was part of a package of 14 MMboe of reserves, valued at $197 million. Acquisition of the remaining assets should be concluded by end-August.
During the first half of 2012, Centrica’s total gas production increased by 6%, although volumes from the Morecambe field in the Irish Sea were down, due to periods of intermittent production atSouth Morecambe. Morecambe will probably account for 20% of the company’s total output in 2012, falling back to around 15% in 2013.
Gas production fromCentrica’s offshore fields has increased by 16%, with the main boost coming from its Norwegian acquisitions.
Current development projects should bring into production about 70 MMboe over the next three years.
Ensign delivered first gas in the UK southern North Sea in May from a single well. A second well is being drilled, and Centrica is assessing options for a third well.
In the same region, first gas from Seven Seas is expected around early October, slightly behind schedule due to timing of the summer shutdown at BP’s West Sole Alpha platform.
First gas from the Rhyl and Atla fields should flow around year-end, followed by York and Kew in 2013, subject to rig availability and scheduling.
Centrica has also welcomed last week’s announcement by the UK government of ashallow-water gas field allowance. This, it says, should allow the $2.19-billion Cygnus gas project to go ahead (Centrica 48.75%).
7/30/2012
