Chrysaor foresees sustained North Sea drilling, P&A activity over next three years

Oct. 19, 2020
Chrysaor plans numerous facility modifications and well campaigns at its operated fields in the UK North Sea.

Offshore staff

LONDONChrysaor plans numerous facility modifications and well campaigns at its operated fields in the UK North Sea.

In a statement concerning its proposed merger with Premier Oil, the company said a late-life compression project had been approved for the North Everest field, which produces gas and condensate through a combined wellhead, production, and accommodation platform.

The aims are to reduce the inlet pressure for processing, increase recoverable reserves, and to extend field life. In addition, Chrysaor expects to drill a new subsea well in 2021.

Preparations continue in the J- Area of the central North Sea for drilling activity in 2021, 2022 and beyond, with development wells planned from the Judy and Jade platforms, and exploration and appraisal wells on the Dunnottar, Talbot, and Jade South prospects.

In the East Irish Sea, Chrysaor operates the Rivers gas fields. The company is assessing field barge campaigns and potential helideck upgrades at Calder and Millom next year, and more discussions with Spirit Energy – which operates the Morecambe fields – on projects that could benefit production overall in the Morecambe Bay area.

It is also working on a joint area plan in conjunction with the Oil and Gas Authority concerning operating efficiency improvements.

In the southern UK North Sea, gas production from the Caister Murdoch System Area fields ceased in August 2018 with decommissioning structured as part of a wider SNS Area campaign.

The decommissioning scope comprises P&A of 28 wells; flushing and cleaning of 582 km (361 mi) of pipelines; and removal/recycling of eight platforms. Pipeline cleaning finished in 2019.

In 2020, the Murdoch complex is set to transition to cold suspension following completion of well abandonment. Remaining wells will be P&A’d through to 2022, with platform removals continuing through 2024.

Decommissioning also continues at the LOGGS Area where production came to an end in August 2018. Here removal of platforms and wells will continue through 2023.

10/19/2020