Statoil said today that pre-drilling had started on its flagship Mariner field in the UK North Sea.
The Norwegian energy giant said up to five wells would be partially drilled ahead of the planned hook up of the Mariner A platform next summer.
Mariner, located about 95 miles east of Shetland, is one of the largest projects currently under development in the North Sea with estimated reserves of more than 250 million barrels.
First oil is expected in 2018.
Hedda Felin, managing director of Statoil Production UK, said: “This is an exciting period for us as a UKCS operator as we transition from the planning phase to active offshore operations.”
“Pre-drilling enables production to reach plateau levels more quickly after the start of operations on Mariner A.
“It will also be an important learning period for us, in terms of understanding the reservoir and identifying potential efficiencies for future wells, with safety and the protection of the environment being our fundamental priorities.”
The pre-drilling campaign will support around 500 jobs.
The Noble Lloyd Noble, the largest jack-up rig in the world, is currently positioned over the Mariner jacket, which was installed in 2015.
It is drilling through a well deck on the jacket.
The Mariner topside modules are currently under construction at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea.
They are expected to sail away in the first half of 2017 and will be used to complete drilling once in place.
Statoil holds the operatorship and 65.11% of Mariner, JX Nippon Exploration & Production holds 20 %, Siccar Point Energy has 8.89% and Dyas Mariner Limited is on 6%.
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