By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 24 -- Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd. intends to begin production in fourth quarter 2007 from two UK North Sea fields. Plans are to redevelop Galley oil field and to prepare plans for submission to the Department of Trade and Industry for Duart field.
Duart is on Block 14/20b, 5 miles west of the Tartan platform and 116 miles northeast of Aberdeen. It contains about 6 million bbl of prospective reserves in the northern part of the field, which is the area of focus for development.
The proposed development will use a single subsea production well tied back via an 8-in. production line and a 3-in. gas lift line to the Tartan platform. After processing at this facility, the liquids will be transported through the existing crude oil export system, boosting volumes arriving at the Flotta Terminal in Orkney.
The development well is scheduled to be drilled in early 2007 with the tieback and Tartan platform modifications to be completed in fourth quarter 2007. Initial production rates from the field are expected to exceed 6,000 b/d of oil from the single production well.
Talisman is Duart field operator and shares equal interests with Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd.
On Block 15/23a, Talisman-operated Galley field is being redeveloped as a subsea tieback to the Tartan platform. The field currently produces via a floating production facility. Redevelopment of the field will reduce operating expenditure per barrel, hence extending field life.
Talisman expects to recover an additional 7 million bbl of oil using this approach. Current production from Galley field will be temporarily suspended to allow subsea construction completion, which includes phased topside construction. After the field redevelopment, which will use existing production wells, production is expected to be an initial 2,500 b/d.
Talisman holds a 67.45% interest in Galley field. Summit UK Oil Ltd. holds 17.45% interest and Eni UK Ltd., 15.17%.
