Overall yield from the Statfjord satellite fields, which are part-owned by Centrica, has increased 30 per cent above expectations during 2015; the third consecutive year annual production has risen.
The switch to become a mainly gas producing field, coupled with efficient working methods and high-quality decision making when locating new wells, has seen annual production from one of the Norwegian Continental Shelf’s most successful fields grow for the third consecutive year.
During 2015 the Statfjord satellite fields, located in the northern part of the North Sea, have seen yield increase by 30 per cent above forecasts for the year. The ongoing success of the satellites has led the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy to approve an application for an expanded production permit.
The main reason for the continued growth of the Statfjord field is the transition away from producing oil, as it was originally designed to do, to now being a gas field.
Håvard Nygård, Centrica’s Asset Manager for Statfjord, said: "Across 2015, the Statfjord satellites had a rig – the Bideford Dolphin – working on both the maintenance of existing wells and drilling for new production. The work was carried out safely, cheaply and in a fraction of the alotted time."
"This efficiency, combined with a high-quality decision basis for new wells, has ensured an increase in both production and the recovery rate over the past three years."
Active drilling programme
An active drilling programme ensures that recoverable resources are still being pursued in the Statfjord area. Eleven wells were drilled in 2015, and another nine are planned in 2016.
Total gross production from the Statfjord satellite fields currently stands at more than 10,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2015. The natural gas it produces is sent to customers in mainland Europe and the UK.
About Statfjord
The Statfjord field is located in the northern part of the North Sea. The fields are operated and maintained by Statoil, and Centrica has a 34 per cent non-operated stake.
Nygård continued: “Centrica contributes framework conditions and expertise, which facilitates safe and efficient operations. Good cooperation with the operator (Statoil) and other partners has been a key reason for the results we see today and will continue to be so in the future.”
Originally, the partnership hoped to recover 40 per cent of the oil in the Statfjord field. The result so far is a record 66 per cent, well above the global average for oil fields at 35 per cent.
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Tom Gederø, Communications Manager