Ithaca Energy shares first-half 2025 offshore E&P advancements and field developments
Major North Sea projects including Rosebank, Cambo, Captain, Cygnus and Seagull are advancing, with development plans, drilling activities and environmental assessments, according to Ithaca Energy's first-half 2025 report.
The following provides a recap of the company's latest offshore project updates, along with some of Offshore's additional news highlights for each field.
Rosebank Field
Equinor and partner Ithaca Energy continue to target 2026-27 for first oil from their deepwater Rosebank Field development west of Shetland.
Later this year, Equinor aims to submit an updated consent application for the project, Ithaca reported. This follows the publication of the UK’s Scope 3 Assessment Guidelines and OPRED’s request for a revised submission.
Capex for the project is set to rise this year, mainly due to the need for increased activity to support the FPSO modifications at Drydocks World, Dubai, ahead of the vessel sailaway date.
Rosebank’s subsea installations have been progressing, Ithaca added, with development drilling set to start early next year.
Cambo oil discovery
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has approved an extension to the Cambo license of 18 months, through Sept. 30, 2027. Cambo is another large oil discovery west of Shetland. Ithaca, as operator, completed a technical “refresh” of the proposed development earlier this year, drawing on the technical capabilities of its co-owner Eni to optimize the concept, in part to mitigate risks.
Results will be incorporated later this year in the updated field development plan and environmental statement. This will support the process of ultimately achieving FID and a potential farm-out, subject to fiscal/regulatory clarity following the UK government consultations on the future of UK North Sea E&P.
Captain Field
At the Ithaca-operated Captain heavy oil field in the central UK North Sea, achievements of the current campaign so far this year include drilling, completion and a production startup of wells C73 and C74, and a workover of well C47.
In June, the flotel Safe Caledonia arrived at the Captain Field to support activities throughout the remainder of the year.
Cygnus Field
Next-phase infill drilling also got underway at Ithaca’s Cygnus gas field in the UK southern North Sea, with the first of two firm Cygnus wells spudded in the first half of the year. First production should follow in October. The second well is due to be drilled in the fourth quarter.
Seagull Field
At the bp-operated Seagull Field, a subsea tieback to the ETAP complex, the final planned well is undergoing completion and should be onstream later in the year. As for the Harbour-operated J-Area, also in the central UK North Sea, the partners have sanctioned further investment to support the development of the Judy East Flank and well stimulation at Joanne later in the year.
Fotla and Tornado fields
Finally, the NSTA has approved the development concepts for Ithaca’s Fotla and Tornado fields. The next step will be submission of both projects' environmental statements.
About the Author
Jeremy Beckman
Editor, Europe
Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.