More tie-ins likely to west of Shetland GLA pipeline system
Jan. 8, 2025
Kistos expects the Prax Group to replace TotalEnergies as operator of the Greater Laggan Area (GLA) west of Shetland by mid-year, and first oil is expected this year from the Balder Future redevelopment.
The Balder Future project involves the drilling of 14 new production wells plus one new water injector on the Balder field, alongside the refurbishment of the Jotun FPSO.
The change should help move forward sanctioning of new tie-in projects to the gas-condensate pipeline system, Kistos added, such as the Glendronach discovery.
Courtesy Kistos
The Greater Laggan Area consists of four producing subsea fields (Laggan, Tormore, Glenlivet and Edradour) that are tied back to the Shetland Gas Plant at Sullom Voe on the Shetland Islands via a 143-km dual flowline system.
In the Norwegian North Sea, operator Var Energi expects to produce first oil this year from the Balder Future redevelopment, in which Kistos is also a partner.
Development drilling should start shortly for Balder Phase V, targeting reserves of more than 30 MMboe via six wells, using the COSL Pioneer semisubmersible. The campaign should continue into 2026.
And the partners are maturing Balder Phase VI and other projects to raise recovery from the prolific Balder field, with FID on Phase VI expected during the next few months.
