Offshore staff
LONDON – EnQuest has sanctioned the $850-million development of the Alma and Galia fields in the UK North Sea, subject to anticipated government approvals.
The project will add a fourth hub to EnQuest’s existing operating base in the UK sector, and increase its production levels to more than 40,000 boe/d in 2014.
CEO Amjad Bseisu said: “The project reuses existing facilities and is designed to ensure that abandonment costs will be minimized.
“Alma, formerly the Argyll field, was the first oil field in the UK and was abandoned at relatively low water cut using the technology available at the time. With current technology field life can be extended significantly.”
Galia, formerly Duncan, was originally produced (like Alma) by Hamilton Oil & Gas.
The new development calls for seven production wells and two water injection/disposal wells tied back to the modified Uisge Gorm FPSO, which previously worked on Hess’ Fife field. The scheme is designed to process high water cut levels up to 95%.
EnQuest expects first production in 4Q 2013, building to a peak production of more than 20,000 boe/d.
Elsewhere in the sector, EnQuest has discovered a 52-ft (16-m) light oil column in Palaeocene sands in its Crathes 21/13a-5 exploration well. The company recently acquired a 40% interest in the prospect following a farm-in.
Following wireline logging, the well will be drilled ahead to the deeper Upper Jurassic Moon prospect. EnQuest will then evaluate the potential commerciality of the Scolty, Crathes/Moon, and Torphins area.
Talisman Energy has also agreed to farm out a 40% interest to EnQuest in the Kildrummy discovery on blocks 15/12b and 15/17 by drilling an appraisal well. Kildrummy holds an estimated 40 MMboe of in-place oil in good-quality reservoir sands.
11/29/2011
