Solan oil field starts up offshore Scotland

Solan oil field in the West of Shetland area offshore Scotland has started production (OGJ Online, Apr. 25, 2012).

Premier Oil PLC, the operator during development, said the first of two production wells is flowing naturally at restricted rates before start-up of an electric submersible pump.

Output will be suspended for commissioning of a water-injection plant, tie-in of a second water-injection well, and preparation for tie-in of a second production well.

The Diamond Offshore Ocean Valiant semisubmersible rig is drilling the second production well, which has cut 1,500 ft of what Premier describes as high-quality sands in the Jurassic Solan formation. The wells have 5,000-6,000-ft horizontal sections and need wire-wrap screens for sand control.

The second producer is to be completed, also with an ESP, and tied in by midyear.

Both producer-injector pairs are to be on stream in the second half of the year, when production is to reach 20,000-25,000 boe/d. Reserves are estimated at 44 million bbl.

The wells, completed subsea in 135 m of water on Block 205/26a, produce to a nearby conventional steel platform not permanently staffed. From the platform the oil flows into a subsea tank with 300,000 bbl of capacity connected to tanker-loading facilities.

Premier holds a 60% interest in the Solan development. Chrysaor Holdings Ltd., London, holds 40%.