The FPSO for the Shell Pierce field is heading off for refurbishment to allow for a gas expansion project at the UK asset.
Shell and partner Ithaca Energy took a final investment decision (FID) on the Pierce gas depressurisation scheme in 2019, which includes major modifications to the Haewene Brim FPSO.
According to a notice to mariners posted by vessel owner Bluewater, the Haewene Brim is now leaving the Pierce field for Haugesund, Norway for upgrades.
The floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) is expected to return to the field around March 10, 2022, according to Bluewater, when hook up will take place.
Shell has been briefing that the project is expected to complete in the second quarter of 2022, and it is understood that this is when first gas is expected.
At the time of the contract award in 2019, Bluewater said the majority of modification works would take place in 2021.
Pierce, which lies around 165miles east of Aberdeen, is currently an oil-producing system, with all produced gas compressed and dried for reinjection.
This new project will see the Haewene Brim FPSO modified to enable export of this gas via the SEGAL pipeline to the St Fergus terminal in Aberdeenshire.
Latest available figures from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) show the FPSO was producing around 20,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day in September.
When it took FID in 2019, Shell said the new project would increase production to 30,000 barrels per day.
The work also includes drilling of new wells and installation of a gas export line from the vessel to the St Fergus terminal from the FPSO.
Shell did not disclose at the time any details of expected gas volumes or the cost of the project, but is on record as saying breakeven costs are $20 per barrel, which makes Pierce an attractive development in the current oil price environment.
Pierce, which was first brought online in 1999, is owned 92.52% by Shell, with the remaining 7.48% held by Ithaca Energy.
Recommended for you
