Maersk Oil UK Limited (Maersk Oil) announced today that it has produced First Oil from its Affleck Development, located in the UK sector of the North Sea. The Field lies within block 30/19a and is operated by Maersk Oil (66.67%) with partner Talisman North Sea Limited (33.33%).
Affleck has been developed with two sub sea horizontal production wells tied back via a new production flow line to the Janice Floating Production Unit located in block 30/17a, also operated by Maersk Oil.
Commenting, Aberdeen-based managing director Tom Van Leenen said, “We are very pleased to have achieved First Oil from Affleck, as the project is making excellent use of the existing infrastructure operated by both Maersk Oil and Talisman, and contributes to Maersk Oil’s longer term growth strategy in the North Sea.
“The Affleck development involved the installation of a 28 km flow line to tie back Affleck to Janice, and the construction of a new gas export spurline to the Clyde platform, which is operated by our partner Talisman. We have also undertaken a significant modification programme on Janice to process and export Affleck production fluids. In addition Clyde has also undergone topside modifications. This has been a challenging project, and there have been some delays, but we are pleased with the outcome. Flow rates are currently as predicted, and I would like to thank everyone involved in this complex project for their commitment and hard work.”
Oil is being exported through the existing Janice pipeline into Norpipe, and then to Teeside, and gas is being routed through existing ties on the Janice and Judy export pipeline to SEGAL, via the Clyde and Fulmar facilities, and onward to the St. Fergus terminal.
Map of Janice-Affleck
Photo of Janice Field
For further information please contact:
Tom van Leenen, Managing Director, Maersk Oil UK
Tel. +44 (0) 1224 242000
Notes to Editors
Maersk Oil
Aberdeen-based Maersk Oil UK Limited is part of Maersk Oil, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Danish A.P. Moller-Maersk Group. It currently employs over 900 staff and contractors in the UK sector of the North Sea and operates Gryphon, Janice, Dumbarton, Affleck, Tullich, James, and oversees production on Maclure for operator BP. Current production is some 50,000 boepd.
Talisman
Talisman Energy Inc. is an independent upstream oil and gas company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Talisman has operations in Canada and its subsidiaries operate in the UK, Norway, Southeast Asia, North Africa and the United States. Talisman's subsidiaries are also active in a number of other international areas. Talisman is committed to conducting its business in an ethically, socially and environmentally responsible manner. The Company is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and included in the Dow Jones Sustainability (North America) Index. Talisman's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the New York Stock Exchange in the United States under the symbol TLM.
Affleck project
The Affleck field produces from a chalk formation and was originally discovered by Shell in 1974. Development drilling for Maersk Oil was completed by the Noble TVL drill rig.
Technip Offshore UK Ltd was awarded the subsea installation service contract to tie back the Affleck field to Janice. Technip managed: the installation of the 28 km pipe-in-pipe flowline; the umbilical and associated risers; the design, manufacture, fabrication and installation of an 80 tonne manifold and two SSIV structures; the installation of a connection from the existing tee on the Janice gas export into the Clyde platform.
The Affleck sub sea manifold, umbilical and control systems have been designed for up to four production wells to cater for future upside potential.
17 August 2009