Serica Energy today confirmed an investigation has been launched into the Erskine field after production was forced to shutdown.
The firm, which owns an 18% stake in the field, was informed by asset operator Chevron that during routine pipeline cleaning operations of the Lomond to Everest condensate export pipeline, a blockage occurred in the pipeline.
The Erskine Field lies approximately 150 miles (241 km) east of Aberdeen, Scotland, in the Central North Sea, in water depths of about 296 feet (90 m).
Discovered in 1981 in Block 23/26, Erskine is a gas condensate field. It was the first high-pressure, high-temperature field to be developed in the U.K. Continental Shelf. First production was achieved in November 1997.
The field includes a normally unattended installation and is remotely controlled from Chrysaor’s Lomond platform. An 18.6 mile (30 km) pipeline links the two facilities.
Processing takes place in a dedicated module on the Lomond platform. Gas and condensate are exported separately to Chrysaor’s North Everest platforms before gas is finally exported via the Central Area Transmission System and condensate is exported through the Forties Pipeline System.
In 2016, Erskine’s net daily production averaged 2,215 barrels of liquids and 13.92 million cubic feet of natural gas.
Chrysaor owns the remaining 32% stake.
In addition to Erskine, late last year Serica announced the proposed acquisition of BP’s interests in the Bruce, Keith and Rhum fields in the North Sea and associated infrastructure. Under the terms of proposed acquisition Serica will acquire a 36% interest in Bruce, a 34.83% interest in Keith and a 50% interest in Rhum (collectively the “BKR Assets”). The deal has an effective date of 1 January 2018 and completion of acquisition is expected to take place in mid-2018.
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