DUC okays Tyra redevelopment off Denmark

Continuation of production from Tyra natural gas field in the Danish North Sea has been assured with approval by the Danish Underground Consortium of a $3.34-billion redevelopment plan.

Maersk Oil, the operator, had planned to shut in the field in October 2018 until the consortium proposed redevelopment in March (OGJ Online, Mar. 23, 2017).

In an announcement of the final investment decision, Maersk Oil said the project will represent the largest oil and gas investment in Danish North Sea history. It will extend Tyra’s productive life by at least 25 years.

Production from the redeveloped field will peak at 60,000 boe/d, of which two thirds will be natural gas. Maersk expects recovery from the new project to exceed 200 million boe.

The operator said DUC acted after the Danish Parliament approved legislation securing the investment.

Tyra produces from Upper and Lower Cretaceous chalk at 2,000 m in 42-47 m of water on Blocks 5504/11 and 5504/12. Discovered in 1968, the field began production in 1984.

Redevelopment will restore infrastructure that has sunk by about 5 m over the last 30 years from subsidence.

On the field now are two main centers, Tyra East and Tyra West. Connected to them are five unstaffed satellites: Tyra Southeast, Harald, Valdemar, Svend, and Roar.

Redevelopment will replace gas processing and accommodation platforms on Tyra East and Tyra West with a new processing platform and a new accommodation platform.

Jackets will be extended by 10 m on four wellhead platforms and two riser platforms, and topsides will be replaced.

The unstaffed satellite platforms, unaffected by subsidence, will not be redeveloped. Their production will be suspended during redevelopment, however.

Tyra production will be suspended in November 2019 to accommodate the equipment changes and resumed in 2022.

Tyra interests are AP Moeller-Maersk, 31.2%; Shell 36.8%; Nordsofonden, 20%; and Chevron, 12%.