Contract let for Curlew field-life study

Nov. 3, 2010
Maersk FPSOs has let a contract for modification of its floating production, storage, and offloading vessel on the Curlew complex of fields in the central UK North Sea to accommodate a study of an extension of field life.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 3
-- Maersk FPSOs has let a contract for modification of its floating production, storage, and offloading vessel on the Curlew complex of fields in the central UK North Sea to accommodate a study of an extension of field life.

According to UK government estimates, Curlew B and D fields produced an average of 1,233 b/d of light oil in January-July 2010. Shell UK Ltd. operates the fields, which came on stream in 1997, with a 50% interest. Esso Exploration & Production UK Ltd. holds the other 50%.

The fields lie in about 305 ft of water 130 miles east of Aberdeen.

Maersk said the study will evaluate the feasibility of reducing pressure of Curlew D condensate arriving at the FPSO “to maximize recoverable reserves.”

AMEC received the contract perform front-end engineering design of the FPSO modifications.

The unit also handles production from Curlew C, a 1993 discovery about 4 miles east of the FPSO. The field, in which Shell holds a 100% interest, produces from a chalk reservoir at a rate estimated by the government at 2,190 b/d during January-July.