Maersk Oil has let a contract to KBR for the front-end engineering and design (FEED) of topsides for the Culzean project, an ultra high-pressure, high-temperature gas-condensate development about 145 miles east of Aberdeen in the UK central North Sea. The deal’s value was not disclosed.

Maersk Oil UK and co-venturers JX Nippon Exploration & Production (UK) Ltd. and Britoil (BP) have chosen a standalone facility to develop the Culzean discovery, consisting of a wellhead platform, central processing platform with flare tower and separate living quarters, and utility platform.

KBR said it will provide the FEED of the topsides for the three platforms. The contract additionally includes an option for the detailed design of the three topsides platforms plus follow-on engineering competency activities during the fabrication phase.

Maersk Oil appraised the discovery in 2010, testing two intervals at a rig-constrained rate of nearly 40 MMcfd of gas and 900 b/d of condensate per interval (OGJ Online, Mar. 10, 2010).