EXPANDED GAS FACILITY ON STREAM AT THEDDLETHORPE

The U.K.'s top energy official has inaugurated an expanded Theddlethorpe gas terminal on the Lincolnshire coast.

The inauguration by Energy Minister Tim Eggar took place Nov. 11, 21 years after the site first received North Sea gas.

The 2.6 bcfd expanded terminal processes gas arriving through four pipelines from 12 offshore fields. Average processing rate is expected to be 1.4 bcfd, or one fourth of Britain's demand.

The terminal was built in 1972 to handle gas from Viking field on North Sea Blocks 49/12, 49/16 and 49/17. The terminal, like Viking field, is operated by Conoco (U.K.) Ltd. and owned 5056 by Conoco and BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd.

The expanded terminal now processes gas from Viking, Lincolnshire Offshore Gas Gathering System (Loggs), Pickerill, and Caister Murdoch System (CMS) complexes.

The Viking transportation system moves gas ashore from the Viking group of fields, developed using 14 platforms, and nearby Victor field, operated by Conoco.

The Loggs complex exports gas from the Y fields - Vanguard, Vulcan, South Valiant, and North Valiant - in Quadrants 48 and 49, developed with nine platforms.

Loggs also handles gas from Block 48/15 Audrey field operated by Phillips Petroleum Co. U.K. Ltd., Block 48/18b Anglia field operated by Ranger Oil (U.K.) Ltd., and Block 49/6a Ann field operated by Phillips.

Block 48/11a Pickerill field is operated by ARCO British Ltd. and developed using two unmanned platforms sending gas to shore via a dedicated pipeline.

CMS comprises production from Block 44/23a Caister field operated by Total Oil Marine plc and Murdoch field operated by Conoco.