Three months to prepare North Sea GSA platform for start-up

Aug. 15, 2016
Ithaca Energy says Petrofac’s modifications to the semisubmersible FPF-1 at the Remontowa shipyard in Poland, and the onshore scope and testing work, were completed as planned.

Offshore staff

CALGARY, CanadaIthaca Energy says Petrofac’s modifications to the semisubmersibleFPF-1 at the Remontowa shipyard in Poland, and the onshore scope and testing work, were completed as planned.

This has avoided costly carry-over of unfinished work offshore to the platform which sailed to the Stella field location in the UK central North Sea early this month.

The platform has been upgraded to accommodate the requirements of theGreater Stella Area hub, with additional buoyancy and enhancements to the marine systems to extend the facility’s operating life, and brand new topsides oil and gas processing facilities.

Ithaca anticipates first hydrocarbons in around three months. On completion of the tow theFPF-1 will be moored on location using 12 pre-installed anchor chains, followed by installation of the dynamic risers and umbilicals connecting the subsea infrastructure to the platform.

Thereafter, the company will complete commissioning of the various processing and utility systems that can only be undertaken on location with hydrocarbons from the field.

Ithaca has secured access to theNorpipe oil pipeline system for future GSA production, allowing a switch from tanker loading during 2017.

This should reduce substantially the fixed operating costs of the GSA facilities and enhance operational uptime, leading to improved reserves recovery and increasing the long-term value of the GSA as a production hub.

08/15/2016

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