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    1. Field Development

    Partners take FID on first-phase southern North Sea gas project

    Oct. 28, 2019
    Independent Oil and Gas plc has completed its farm-out transaction with CalEnergy Resources Ltd. and taken the final investment decision on Phase 1 of its Core project.
    (Courtesy Independent Oil and Gas)
    Phase 1 of the Core project takes in the Southwark, Blythe and Elgood fields, and Phase 2 the Goddard, Nailsworth, and Elland fields in the UK southern North Sea.
    Phase 1 of the Core project takes in the Southwark, Blythe and Elgood fields, and Phase 2 the Goddard, Nailsworth, and Elland fields in the UK southern North Sea.

    Offshore staff

    LONDON – Independent Oil and Gas plc (IOC) has completed its farm-out transaction with CalEnergy Resources Ltd. (CER) and taken the final investment decision on Phase 1 of its Core project.

    The Core project comprises 410 bcm of 2P+2C reserves and resources across six discovered UK southern North Sea (SNS) gas fields.

    In July, IOG agreed to farm out to CER 50% of its SNS upstream assets (except for the Harvey licenses), the Thames pipeline, and associated Thames reception facilities.

    IOG and CER have now taken Phase 1 FID and will soon submit confirmation of full funding to the Oil and Gas Authority in support of the Phase 1 field development plan approval.

    CER has paid the initial cash consideration of £40 million ($51 million) to IOG under the terms of the farm-out. CER will also pay for up to £125 million ($161 million) of IOG’s development costs, usable against 80% of IOG’s 50% share of Core project costs, up to caps of £60 million ($77 million) for Phase 1 and £65 million ($84 million) for Phase 2, respectively. IOG will pay CER a royalty of 20.2% of its net revenues from the Phase 1 fields only, up to a cap of £91 million ($117 million) over field life.

    In addition, IOG will receive an effective royalty interest equating to £0.50/mcf on CER’s 50% share of production from certain sections of the Goddard field after 70 bcf gross has been produced from the field up to a maximum royalty of £9.75 million ($12.5 million).

    IOG has retained operatorship of the Core project, with first gas targeted in July 2021.

    CER has the option to acquire 50% of the Harvey licenses within three months of completion of the Harvey appraisal well 48/24b-6.

    The companies have also signed area of mutual interest agreement to allow for future co-operation in further SNS business development activities on a 50:50 basis, with a view to leverage the Core project’s infrastructure.

    Also, the partners are working together with the intention to submit a joint application for a number of blocks in the UK 32nd offshore license round.

    10/28/2019