The largest topsides due for installation in the U.K. North Sea this year has been loaded out from a construction yard at Clydebank, Scotland.
UIE Scotland Ltd. built the 8,600 metric ton Dunbar field topsides for operator Total Oil Marine plc. Loading was delayed several days after a construction yard crane fell against and damaged the topsides' flare tower.
Elsewhere off Northwest Europe:
- Amerada Hess Ltd. let an engineering, procurement, installation, and commissioning contract to Rockwater Ltd., Aberdeen, for development of South Scott oil field in the U.K. North Sea.
- Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS started production from West Gullfaks field in Norwegian North Sea Block 34/10a.
- Clyde Petroleum plc, Ledbury, U.K., reported an Irish Sea gas discovery on Block 113/28 in Morecambe Bay.
DUNBAR PLATFORM
Total's Dunbar topsides is due for installation on Block 3/14a in mid-June. Field development will entail a wellhead platform in conjunction with a semisubmersible rig converted for tender-assisted drilling (OGJ, Jan. 25, 1993, p. 44).
At press time last week the topsides was ready for its voyage down the Clyde River to Greenock for final outfitting. The journey from Greenock to Block 3/14a is expected to take a week.
The 7,200 metric ton, four leg platform jacket is awaiting sailaway in Dundee Harbor. Earlier this month a separator module was lifted onto North Alwyn platform, where it will receive Dunbar production for export of oil to Sullom Voe and gas to St. Fergus.
Dunbar's wellstream will be sent via a uniquely insulated pipeline to North Alwyn for processing (OGJ, May 17, 1993, p. 61). The 15 mile long pipeline was laid in early April.
Work has started in Rotterdam on converting the Sedco 707 drilling rig for tender assist work. Conversion is to be complete in the fourth quarter.
Modifications to the rig will include upgrading the mooring systems, installation of a telescopic gangway and provision of mud and cement catenaries.
Dunbar field reserves are estimated at 120 million bbl of oil and 300 bcf of gas. First production is slated for December, with field life estimated at 18 years.
OTHER ACTION
Amerada's South Scott field, in Block 15/22, holds estimated reserves of 60 million bbl, and will be developed as a subsea satellite of nearby Scott platform.
Rockwater's contract covers a four slot subsea manifold, a 4.7 km flexible flow line, and chemical injection and control umbilicals. Installation is scheduled for May 1995 using the MSV Regalia vessel.
Production is to begin in summer 1995.
Statoil's West Gullfaks field was developed by a single well drilled from the Gullfaks B platform, 4 km away. West Gullfaks reserves are estimated at 12 million bbl of oil.
West Gullfaks production is expected to be typically 12,500 b/d. Gullfaks production recently climbed past 600,000 b/d.
A single test of Sherwood sandstone pay in Clyde's 113/28-2 discovery flowed 12.25 MMcfd of gas, constrained by test equipment. Clyde drilled the well to 3,115 ft in 67 ft of water.
Blocks interests are split equally among Clyde, Amerada Hess Ltd. and Texaco Britain Ltd.
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