FIRST production from the Jura gas and condensate field in the UK northern North Sea is close, operator Total said yesterday.
In a statement with its 2008 first-quarter results it said: “The coming months should reflect the benefit of the gradual production ramp-up at the Moho Bilondo field in Congo and the start-up of production from the Jura discovery in the UK North Sea.”
Jura is estimated to contain reserves of 170million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), and is due to come on-stream in the second quarter, with production expected to reach a peak of 45,000boe per day.
Total said production from the UK sector had not been without problems in the first quarter, with a shutdown of nearly a month at the central North Sea high-temperature/high-pressure Elgin-Franklin gas and condensate fields after an unspecified incident. Total reported net income of £2.57billion for the quarter, up 9% year-on-year.