Oil major BP said production has started from the Kinnoull field in the North Sea.
The Kinnoull reservoir, which was developed as part of a wider rejuvenation of the Andrew field area, is tied back to BP’s Andrew platform 230km east of Aberdeen.
The development of the field is expected to allow production from the field to be extended by a further 10 years.
Trevor Garlick, regional president for BP’s North Sea business, said: “50 years after BP was awarded its first licences in the North Sea, the successful start-up of Kinnoull demonstrates our continued commitment to maximising recovery from the basin.
“The combination of brownfield and greenfield development work – carrying out material upgrades, improving the reliability of existing facilities and retrofitting new facilities onto an existing platform – added significantly to the complexity of this project.
“In successfully delivering it, we have completed one of the most challenging offshore projects BP has undertaken in the North Sea.”
Production from Andrew and Kinnoull is forecast to peak at more than 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
A new subsea system was installed, together with a 700 tinne topside processing module on the Andrew platform, in order to allow BP and its partner to access the reservoir.
Production is now carried from the Kinnoull field to the Andrew platform via a 28km subsea pipeline bundle – which s the longest such system in the world – for processing and onward export via the Forties pipeline system and CATS pipeline system.
The investment included extensive refurbishment of the Andrew platform to improve its integrity and operational efficiency.
UK Energy Minister Matthew Hancock said: “The Kinnoull project is a great example of the continued commitment shown by the government and the offshore industry to make the most of the North Sea’s remaining resources.
“Working together we are maximising the potential of our domestic oil and gas reserves, securing both jobs and energy supplies.”
BP operates and has a 77.06% interest in Kinnoull, alongside co-venturer JX Nippon Exploration and Production (U.K.) Limited (22.94%).
Andrew is operated by BP, with a 62.75% interest, with co-venturers JX Nippon (27.39%) and Talisman-Sinopec (9.86%)
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