THE fourth new North Sea field to be brought on stream by Shell UK this year has achieved production start-up.
The Curlew C development, in block 29/7 and 100% Shell-owned, marks the first time that the major has produced hydrocarbons from a chalk formation in the North Sea.
It is producing via the Maersk Curlew floating production vessel, with oil transported by tanker and gas exported by pipeline to St Fergus.
John Gallagher, technical vice-president for Shell Expro in Europe, said: “Curlew C, a challenging chalk reservoir, underlines our determination to develop North Sea opportunities using Shell’s technology and expertise.”
Curlew C – the third development in the area following Curlew B and D – is expected to produce at a peak of 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).
Shell’s other North Sea fields to start production this year were Starling, in January, Caravel, in April and Shamrock, in May.
Last year, Shell produced about 297,000boepd; more than 10% of all UK production.
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