ARCO British Ltd. has produced first gas from Trent and Tyne fields in the U.K. southern gas basin.
The fields have combined reserves of 415 bcf of gas, and are expected to produce at 195 MMcfd, though ARCO said there is scope for additional gas sales beginning in 1997. Trent and Tyne were developed with two unmanned platforms, with gas exported by the existing 24-in., 170-km Eagles pipeline operated by ARCO.
Trent and Tyne gas is delivered to Amoco (U.K.) Ltd.'s terminal at Bacton, and platform operations are controlled remotely from ARCO's Great Yarmouth unit. Total development cost was $375 million.
Trent platform, on Block 43/24, holds processing facilities for both fields; Tyne platform, on block 44/18, is a wellhead protector, linked to Trent by 20-in., 56-km pipeline. Trent platform has capacity to process 350 MMcfd of gas, but this can be expanded. Eagles pipeline capacity is 500 MMcfd.
ARCO has identified other prospects on the two 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.
Both Trent and Tyne fields began production from three wells. 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.
Copyright 1997 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
