EXPORT CRUDES FOR THE '90S U.K. NORTH SEA'S KITTIWAKE CRUDE ASSAYED

Anne K. Rhodes
Refining/Petrochemical Editor

Kittiwake, the largest of five fields in the Gannet cluster, was assayed on Dec. 6, 1990. The field is on Block 21/18a in the U.K. North Sea.

Kittiwake is operated by Shell Exploration & Production (U.K.) Ltd., for the Shell/Esso Exploration & Production U.K. Ltd. combine. Exxon Co. International holds a 50% interest in the field.

Kittiwake went on stream in fall of 1990, 5 months ahead of its original schedule. Flow from the platform is expected to rise to a peak of 36,000 b/d of oil and 5 MMscfd of gas, from 10 wells. The field, with reserves of 70 million bbl, was developed at a cost of 250 million ($475 million). Kittiwake, with its slimline platform, integrated deck, and lightweight design, was the first project to demonstrate how such a design could reduce costs. All topsides were installed in only three lifts.

Another factor permitting the platform's cost-saving compact design was the decision to keep backup to a minimum. There is a single process train and a single gas-compression train.

Kittiwake's lightweight (6,000 metric ton) platform jacket, set in 279 ft of water, is the North Sea's first lift-installed jacket designed to support a full production facility. When the 7,500 metric ton integrated deck was installed, it was the North Sea's heaviest offshore lift.

Also contributing to cost savings was the use of Auk oil field's Elsmb tanker-loading system, which had become redundant when Auk was linked by pipeline to Fulmar field. Single Bouy Moorings Inc. designed the refurbishment of the Auk system. In addition, replacement living quarters designed for, but never installed at Auk, were used for Kittiwake.

Oil is transported from Kittiwake by tankers loaded from a single buoy mooring. The shuttle tankers use dynamic positioning that enable them to stay on station longer in bad weather. Gas moves through a spur into Shell/Esso's line from Fulmar to St. Fergus, Scotland.

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