Shell to convert North Sea Pierce production for gas exports

Oct. 4, 2019
Shell U.K. and partner Ithaca Energy have committed to the Pierce depressurization project in the UK central North Sea.

Offshore staff

ABERDEEN, UK – Shell U.K. and partner Ithaca Energy have committed to the Pierce depressurization project in the UK central North Sea.

The program will allow Shell to start exporting gas from the Pierce field, 160 km (99 mi) east of Aberdeen, and represents the company’s eighth new UK offshore project since the start of 2018.

It will involve modifying the FPSO Haewene Brim, owned and operated by Bluewater, which serves on the field; installing a subsea gas export line from the FPSO to the SEGAL pipeline; and drilling of new wells.

The project, which has Oil & Gas Authority’s approval, will take place between 2020 and 2021. Pierce should then produce more than 30,000 boe/d at peak.

Subsea 7 has an EPCI and, transportation and installation contract covering the 30-km (19-mi) export pipeline, gas export riser and associated subsea infrastructure, for tie-ins at the Haewene Brim. Project management and detailed engineering have started in Aberdeen, with offshore activities due to get under way next year.

10/04/2019