Update on UKCS Field Development Projects - Intsok

Field Rosebank/Lochnagar
Area West of Shetland
Operator Chevron
Development concept FPSO?
Transport concept Offshore oil loading + 45km gas pipeline to Laggan
Start-up 2014/15
Comments: Chevron is preparing to develop the Rosebank/Lochnagar field west of the
Shetlands. FEED is planned for 2011 and start-up looks likely around 2014 or 2015. The
preferred development solution is in the process of being chosen. Chevron has confirmed that
some kind of floater will be required, along with horizontal and high-angle production wells. The
project will benefit from the government’s decision to grant an allowance worth £160m a field to
deepwater WoS developments – water depth is 1,100 metres. Last year a contract for facilities
engineering services was awarded to Houston-based Intecsea and a study for the application
of its cylindrical FPSO to Sevan Marine. Metocean has been contracted to monitor sea and
wind conditions on the field. Meanwhile appraisal is still under way: in 2009 drillship Stena
Carron drilled exploration well 213/27-3 on Rosebank North and an exploration sidetrack on
Lochnagar North, followed by Rosebank appraisal well 213/27-4 with three sidetracks of which
the last was suspended. A further well is planned later this year. When it discovered the field in
2004, Chevron hinted that it looked large, though it has released little information since. Of a
three-well programme carried out in 2006-07, it has revealed only that one well, 205/1-1, tested
light oil at a rate of 6,000b/d. Situated close to the UK/Faroes border, far from any
infrastructure, and in deeper waters than any other commercial find in the UK sector,
Rosebank/Lochnagar looks like a candidate for offshore oil loading. Gas will be exported via
the Laggan multiphase pipeline (see Laggan entry). Peak gas volume will be 100 MMcf/d.
Field Solan
Area West of Shetlands
Operator Chrysaor
Development concept Articulated tower + subsea wells
Transport concept Offshore loading
Start-up Q3 2011
Comments: Chrysaor drilled a successful appraisal well on Solan in 2009, which increased
reserves to 45m bbl of oil and has been suspended for use as a producer. The start-up target
has been put back to Q3 2011. In Dec the environmental statement was published and the
field development plan submitted. Contracts will be awarded once approval has been given.
Semisub Byford Dolphin, which drilled last year’s well, is lined up for development drilling.
There will be one subsea producer and one water injector at start-up, with a second producer
and possibly a second injector to follow. The producers will be equipped with dual electric
submersible pumps to lift the 27 deg API crude. The wells will be tied back to an articulated
tower via a manifold and flexible riser. Oil will be exported by offshore loading. The platform will
have a 750t topsides, and the tower, which will be roughly 130m tall, will be connected to a
300,000 bbl seabed storage tank by means of a universal joint. The platform will be assembled
in a Norwegian fjord and towed to the field.
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