MORE SATELLITES EYED FOR N. SEA NINIAN FIELD

Chevron U.K. Ltd. and its partners in Ninian oil field in the U.K. North Sea have agreed on terms for future satellite developments. The terms are designed to allow future Ninian satellites to be brought on stream quickly, without complicated tariff negotiations. The plan also allows increased use of existing field installations with a minimum 10 year life expectancy, which are currently running well below capacity as Ninan field production declines.

Dec. 13, 1993

2 min read

Chevron U.K. Ltd. and its partners in Ninian oil field in the U.K. North Sea have agreed on terms for future satellite developments.

The terms are designed to allow future Ninian satellites to be brought on stream quickly, without complicated tariff negotiations.

The plan also allows increased use of existing field installations with a minimum 10 year life expectancy, which are currently running well below capacity as Ninan field production declines.

"Any company applying to the Ninian group for third party tariff terms will quickly be given a rough estimate of development costs using Ninian facilities," a Chevron official said.

Ninian is producing an average 65,000 b/d through three platforms designed in the 1970s with 300,000 b/d capacity.

SATELLITES

Conoco (U.K.) Ltd. and Lasmo plc send production from Lyell and Staffa satellite fields, respectively, through Central Ninian platform.

Texaco Ltd. is expected to bring nearby Strathspey field on stream this month.

Combined, Lyell and Staffa ship about 25,000 b/d through Ninian, while Strathspey is expected to add as much as 40,000 b/d to throughput.

Block 3/3 Ninian field partners have identified four potential satellite developments, which together hold estimated reserves of 100 million bbl of oil.

The four prospective developments are Northeast flank (NEF) and 3/3-8 reservoirs on a Chevron-operated block, the 3/2-X reservoir operated by Conoco, and Columba field operated by Lasmo.

Chevron plans to begin drilling the NEF prospect from North Ninian platform this month.

Parts of the complex Columba field are accessible with wells drilled from South Ninian platform, although the rest of the field is thought to require subsea development.

No decision has been reached on whether the Block 3/2 and 3/3 prospects would be best developed by drilling from Ninian platforms, but this is thought likely.

Chevron said a few more exploration leads in the area could give rise to further developments.

"During discussions the guiding principle has been to secure an agreement that ensures potential satellites can be developed simply, quickly, and economically," said Syd Abbott, Ninian asset manager.

"The commercial framework will allow drilling of satellites direct from Ninian platforms using Ninian's spare well slots, processing capacity, and common metering facilities. Our efforts will now be to build on these plan with the Department of Trade and Industry."