ARCO starts up U.K. Trent and Tyne fields

ARCO British Ltd. produced first gas from Trent and Tyne fields in the U.K. North Sea's southern gas basin last month under a £250 million ($375 million) development. The fields have combined reserves of 415 bcf of gas and are expected to produce 195 MMcfd of gas, although ARCO said there is scope for additional gas sales beginning in 1997. Trent and Tyne were developed with two unmanned platforms, with gas export by the previously installed 24-in., 170-km long Eagles pipeline,

Dec. 2, 1996

2 min read

ARCO British Ltd. produced first gas from Trent and Tyne fields in the U.K. North Sea's southern gas basin last month under a £250 million ($375 million) development.

The fields have combined reserves of 415 bcf of gas and are expected to produce 195 MMcfd of gas, although ARCO said there is scope for additional gas sales beginning in 1997.

Project details

Trent and Tyne were developed with two unmanned platforms, with gas export by the previously installed 24-in., 170-km long Eagles pipeline, operated by ARCO.

Eagles pipeline was built to export gas from Esmond complex further north, operated by BHP Petroleum Ltd. ARCO took over operatorship of Eagles when Esmond ceased production last year.

Trent and Tyne gas is delivered to the Amoco (U.K.) Ltd. terminal at Bacton, and platform operations are controlled remotely from ARCO's Great Yarmouth unit.

Trent platform stands in 47 m of water on Block 43/24, while Tyne stands in 17 m of water on Block 44/18. Trent platform holds processing facilities for both fields. Tyne platform is a wellhead protector, linked to Trent by 20-in., 56-km pipeline.

Further potential

An ARCO official said Trent platform has capacity to process 350 MMcfd of gas, but this can be expanded to handle further production from ARCO and third party prospects nearby. Eagles pipeline capacity is 500 MMcfd.

The official said ARCO has identified further exploration prospects in the Trent and Tyne blocks. Drilling plans are being finalized, and work may take place next year.

ARCO is also one of a number of companies negotiating to handle gas from Amoco's Cavendish discovery, near Trent and Tyne platforms.

Trent and Tyne fields were brought into production with three wells each. ARCO is currently drilling a fourth well in Tyne, using a jack up rig in cantilever mode. This well will be immediately followed by a fifth.

These latest two Tyne wells are intended to be drilled to a total measured depth of more than 23,000 ft, with 2,000 ft horizontal sections. Infill and extension drilling opportunities have been identified in each field.

ARCO's partner in the two developments is Talisman Energy U.K. Ltd., which holds a 20% interest in each field.