Offshore staff
LONDON – Britain’s Oil and Gas Authority has approved Independent Oil and Gas’ Phase 1 field development plan for its Core gas project in the southern North Sea.
Pipeline Works Authorization applications and other consent applications are currently under review for the pipelay activities.
Fabrication preparations continue for the two Phase 1 normally unmanned installation platforms (Southwark and Blythe). Independent Oil and Gas (IOG) expects to sign a full engineering, procurement, and construction contract shortly with the platform contractor.
At the fabrication yard, a two-shift system is in place due to COVID-19 restrictions, but platform delivery dates are currently not affected despite pressures on the supply chain.
The 24-in. (Southwark) and 12-in. (Blythe) line pipes have been delivered from Greece to the UK for storage prior to loading onto the pipelay vessels this summer. A full EPC contract award should follow to the main SURF contractor.
IOG has submitted applications for laying the 24-in. and 12-in. extensions to the Thames Pipeline in the North Sea, and approvals should come through before mid-year.
Tendering continues for the jackup for the five-well Phase 1 drilling program: IOG is aiming to secure more attractive terms in light of current industry conditions. Preparations are also under way for tendering offshore drilling services and detailed well and completion design work is proceeding as scheduled.
Both unused and refurbished subsea wellheads and trees IOG acquired have been successfully tested. One will be used on the Elgood subsea well while the other will be available for a future tie-in of the Harvey accumulation or other incremental development opportunities.
In addition, a contract is in place for the Elgood subsea well control system.
FEED continues on refurbishment of the gas reception facility at the Bacton Gas Terminal on the Norfolk coast. Initial preparatory works at the site should get under way this month.
In addition, IOG has initiated further seismic reprocessing and interpretation of the Vulcan Satellite fields and the Goddard and Abbeydale gas discoveries to help optimize future field developments and well designs.
05/01/2020
