Uchenna Izundu
OGJ International Editor
LONDON, Aug. 4 -- TAQA Bratani Ltd. assumed operatorship from Shell UK Exploration & Production for the Brent System pipeline in the UK North Sea, marking a change in management for the first time in almost 30 years.
The pipeline delivers 100,000 b/d of oil from 20 North Sea fields and constitutes around 8% of offshore oil production. It accounts for almost 60% of the input at the Sullom Voe terminal in the Shetland Islands, in which the company has a 24% stake.
TAQA will have a 16% interest in the system and has invested in experienced staff and first class IT and systems infrastructure to work with its other Brent partners, such as ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Norway AS and Lundin Thistle Ltd.
TAQA will focus on its operated Cormorant Alpha platform as well as the 150km pipeline connecting Cormorant Alpha to the BP PLC operated Sullom Voe terminal.
Leo Koot, TAQA Bratani’s managing director, said: “This is the latest step in our North Sea activity program, which this year already has seen TAQA increase production from our operated assets, initiate drilling, and near-field exploration.”
In December, TAQA completed the $631 million purchase of assets in the UK North Sea from Shell UK Ltd. and ExxonMobil Corp. (OGJ Online, Dec. 7, 2008) TAQA operates Tjern, Kestrel, Eider, Pelican, Cormorant North, and Cormorant South fields and related assets. They lie in 150-167 m of water northeast of Lerwick in Shetland.
TAQA is the UK arm of the Abu Dhabi National Energy Co.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected]
