Chevron's N Sea Erskine Offline Again
The Chevron-operated Erskine high pressure, high temperature gas/condensate field in the UK central North Sea is down for the second time this month. (Adds Chevron confirmation in final para)
UK-listed Serica Energy said January 22 it had been informed by Erskine’s operator that, during routine pipeline cleaning operations of the Lomond to Everest condensate export pipeline, a blockage occurred in the pipeline. Serica added: "The cause is currently being investigated and during this period, the Erskine field will be unable to produce; a update will be issued as soon as further information is available."
Erskine is operated by Chevron (with 50% equity), partners are Chrysaor 32% and Serica 18%. The field had only recently resumed production, after the Forties pipeline system (FPS) to which it is indirectly connected resumed operations in late December. Serica said January 3 that Erskine production had recently resumed after being shut in December 11 by the FPS outage.
Chevron says its net 2016 Erskine production averaged 2,215 b/d liquids and 13.92mn ft3/d gas for its 50% share – so gross output at 100% would presumably have been double those volumes.
Chrysoar operates the nearby Lomond field, which processes both Lomond and Erskine gas and condensate. Gas from both fields is exported into the CATS (Central Area Transmission System) system at Chrysoar’s North Everest field, whence it flows via FPS to Teesside. Lomond and North Everest are also both gas/condensate fields; both are ex-BG assets that Chrysaor acquired late last year from Shell as it high-graded its portfolio.
Update 2.30pm UK time: Chevron confirmed January 22: "Chevron North Sea Limited, operator of the Erskine field, can confirm that due to a blockage in the Lomond to Everest condensate export pipeline, operated by a third party, the Erskine field has halted production. The cause of the blockage is being investigated by the operator of the pipeline. As operator of the Erskine field, Chevron is committed to working collaboratively with our co-venturers."
UK central North Sea, showing Erskine-Lomond-Everest North infrastructure (Map credit: Serica)