Production is underway at Harbour Energy’s Tolmount field, a source close to the company has confirmed.
First gas from the North Sea scheme has been repeatedly pushed back after equipment glitches cropped up.
Start-up was originally expected in July last year, before Harbour Energy (LON: HBR) revealed it was likely to be “around” the end of 2021.
Then in December the oil and gas company confirmed the timeline had been pushed back again, with first gas slated for the first quarter of 2022.
It has now been confirmed that production from Tolmount has kicked off – it is expected to begin at net rates of 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day.
Harbour Energy declined to comment.
In December the company revealed that is had downgraded field reserves at Tolmount, “reflecting drilling results.”
It has been reported that the drop could be between 20 million and 30m boe.
Tolmount had been expected to produce around 90m boe in total, at peak rates of around 28,000 boepd, according to previous guidance.
Harbour Energy operates the project with a 50% stake, while Dana Petroleum has the remaining 50% – the Korean-owned company was approached for comment.
Dana and Kellas Midstream struck an innovative infrastructure deal to jointly build and own the platform and export pipeline Tolmount.
The platform for the North Sea scheme was built at Rosetti Marino’s yard in Ravenna, Italy, and installed in October 2020 using Dutch firm Heerema’s Sleipner heavy lift vessel.
The Tolmount gas field is situated in Block 42/28d, in the UK southern North Sea.
It was discovered in 2011 with further appraisal drilling in 2013.
The Greater Tolmount Area includes the Tolmount East discovery, sanctioned last year and listed among six projects UK Government is reportedly trying to fast track.
It will be developed as an extension to the existing Tolmount project, targeting around 53m boe in gas and condensates from an area around two miles east of the main project, in water depth of around 50m.
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