The Golden Eagle Area Development (GEAD) in the UK North Sea has begun oil production, reported project operator Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd.
Two wells are producing 18,000 b/d. A peak production rate of 70,000 b/d is expected in 2015.
The development includes separate production and wellhead platforms and two subsea production systems. Fifteen production wells and six water injection wells will eventually be drilled.
GEAD includes development of the Golden Eagle, Peregrine, and Solitaire fields on Blocks 20/1S, 20/1N, and 14/26a, about 70 km northeast of Aberdeen (OGJ Online, Oct. 27, 2011). Water depths are 89-139 m.
Nexen, a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corp. Ltd., has 36.54%. Maersk Oil North Sea UK Ltd. has 31.56%, Suncor Energy UK Ltd. holds 26.69%, and Edinburgh Oil & Gas Ltd. has 5.21%.