Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS (Statoil) has let contract for work in the first oil field development off Ireland.
Development is on tap for Connemara oil field on Block 26/29 in the Porcupine basin off the western coast of Ireland.
Connemara has estimated reserves of 20-50 million bbl of oil and was discovered in 350 m of water by BP Exploration Operating Co. Ltd. in 1982 (OGJ, June 5, 1995, p. 18).
BP subsequently relinquished the block, declaring the discovery noncommercial. Dublin's Aran Energy plc took over the license, and Statoil took over Aran in 1996.
Statoil saw that its multi-purpose shuttle tanker/production ship concept could make Connemara development viable. The company intends to use one of a small fleet of such ships under construction (OGJ, Oct. 21, 1996, p. 24).
Contract awarded
Although Statoil has not yet received government approval for its development plan, the company has let a $15 million contract to Stolt Comex Seaway SA, Aberdeen, for subsea construction work.
Beginning this month, Stolt Comex will install production and umbilical risers for an extended well test in Connemara this summer.
In March next year, the contractor will carry out a 50-day program to install a production ship mooring system, flexible flowlines, risers, and a well control umbilical.
Copyright 1997 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
