Offshore staff
LONDON — IOG is working on measures to address rising liquids production from its Saturn Banks gas development in the U.K. southern North Sea.
Over the past month, condensate flow rates from the Blythe and Elgood wells to the onshore Saturn Banks Reception Facilities (SBRF) have fluctuated, reaching up to 1,850 bbl/d.
The SBRF, adjacent to the main Perenco Bacton terminal, is co-owned by IOG and CalEnergy Resources and operated by Perenco UK (PUK). All liquids streams entering Perenco Bacton are processed through the terminal's condensate stabilization unit (CSU).
Perenco has identified a drainage system deficiency in the CSU's two recycle compressors, and this issue needs to be resolved before any further Saturn Banks liquids can be processed, limiting the SBRF slug catcher to a 15% maximum liquid level.
With reductions in flow rates in place to manage these constraints, a full shut-in of Blythe and Elgood production has been implemented to prevent further liquids entering the slug catcher.
PUK is working on a modification to the CSU compressor drainage system, with one compressor likely to be modified, enabling a limited initial resumption of Saturn Banks gas production (currently projected at about 30 MMcf/d).
Following modification of the second compressor, Saturn Banks production should gradually return to normal levels.
Blythe and Elgood condensate yields per unit of gas produced should decline fairly swiftly during the first year of production, reducing the longer-term potential for onshore liquids handling issues.
Southwark, the third Saturn Banks field under development, should have a much lower condensate yield.
