BP doubles interest in North Sea’s Culzean development

BP PLC has acquired another 16% interest in the Culzean development of the UK central North Sea from JX Nippon Oil & Energy Co., bringing the British multinational firm’s total stake in the project to 32%.

The Maersk Oil North Sea UK Ltd.-operated development, sanctioned at the end of August last year (OGJ Online, Aug. 31, 2015), is expected to produce enough gas to meet 5% of total UK demand at peak production in 2020-21.

Discovered in 2008 (OGJ Online, Jan. 30, 2009), the gas-condensate field has resources estimated at 250-300 million boe. Production is expected to start in 2019 and continue into the 2030s, plateauing at 60,000-90,000 boe/d.

Fabrication of the Culzean wellhead jacket and access deck have been completed and departed in April for the Central North Sea (OGJ Online, Apr. 13, 2016). The development involves bridge-linked wellhead, central processing, and utilities and quarters platforms.