Serica Energy has taken another step in its quest to develop the Columbus field in the central North Sea.
The London-headquartered firm had been deciding whether to connect the field to Shell’s Shearwater platform or Chrysaor’s Lomond rig.
In April the company opted for the Shearwater route, citing a “clear commercial advantage”.
Columbus will be connected to a proposed pipeline between the nearby Arran field and Shearwater.
Today, Serica submitted a letter of application to give the Oil and Gas Authority “preliminary notification” of its proposals.
The application is supported by an environmental statement.
The public consultation will run for a month.
The field is thought to be capable of producing 12.6 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Production start-up is slated for the first half of 2021.
The Columbus subsea infrastructure will have a design life of at least 15 years and the economic field life is expected to be up to 14 years.
Serica, as operator, has a 50% stake in Columbus, Endeavour Energy has 25% and EOG Resources has 25%.
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