Total SA has started natural gas and condensate production from its West Franklin Phase 2 project in the Central Graben area of the UK North Sea. The company says the project will supply 40,000 boe/d to the Elgin-Franklin hub (OGJ Online, Mar. 11, 2013).
Located about 240 km east of Aberdeen, West Franklin was discovered by Total in 2003 and Phase 1 production started in 2007 with two wells. The development of Phase 2 was approved by UK Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2010 (OGJ Online, Nov. 30, 2010).
The company says West Franklin 2 includes three production wells and two platforms that will be used to develop estimated reserves of 85 million boe.
“With the start-up of the West Franklin Phase 2 project, Total consolidates the production capacity of its operated Elgin-Franklin hub,” said Michael Borrell, Total’s senior vice-president of exploration and production, Europe and Central Asia. “The hub holds significant reserves as well as promising exploration opportunities.”
Total holds a 46.2% stake and operates West Franklin Phase 2. Its partners are Eni SPA 21.86%, BG Group PLC 14.1%, E.On E&P 5.2%, ExxonMobil Corp. 4.3%, Chevron Corp. 3.9%, Dyas UK Ltd. 2.2%, and Summit Petroleum Ltd. 2.2%.