Serica Energy PLC identified a fault in the subsea control module for Rhum gas field in the UK Northern North Sea and temporary shut down production, the company said Mar. 1.
Rhum field lies in Block 3/29a, 44 km north of Bruce and is a subsea development tied back to the Bruce platform via an insulated pipeline. Two producing wells—R-1 and R-2—produced an average 11,900 boe/d net to Serica in 2020. The third well, R3, was worked over in 2021.
In September 2021, average gross production for Rhum field reached over 34,000 boe/d compared to a maximum rate of 26,000 boe/d immediately prior to the start of R3 production after recompletion (OGJ Online, Sept. 2, 2021).
There are currently no safety or environmental issues associated with this fault. A program to replace the control module is being planned using a spare module held in stock. This will necessitate diving operations and the timetable is not yet finalized.
Rhum production will probably not resume for at least 2 weeks.
Production from Bruce field continues and has not been adversely affected. Serica’s other producing fields (Erskine and Columbus) are not impacted by the issue.
Serica is operator of Bruce (98%), Columbus (50%), and Rhum (50%). IOC UK Ltd. holds the remaining 50% interest in Rhum. Serica holds 18% interest in Erskine with Ithaca Energy Ltd. as operator.
