RWE Dea’s subsidiary in the United Kingdom, RWE Dea UK, announced today that the field development plan for the Clipper South gas field has been approved by the Secretary of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). RWE Dea UK is the operator and 50% partner in the Clipper South development project along with Fairfield Acer Limited (25%) and Bayerngas UK Ltd (25%).
The Clipper South gas field lies in the UK continental shelf (UKCS) blocks 48/19 and 48/20, 100km (60 miles) east of the Lincolnshire coast and was discovered in 1982. The gas is located in a tight Permian age Rotliegend reservoir which contains approximately 500 billion cubic feet of gas in place. The field will be developed using latest technology which is relatively new to the Southern North Sea. This will involve drilling up to five extended horizontal wells, and undertaking up to seven hydraulically induced fractures in each well.
“We are delighted to have achieved this key milestone in the development of Clipper South. Since acquiring the stake in this field in 2009, we have vigorously pursued the development of Clipper South through the planned deployment of cutting edge well technology,” said Ralf to Baben, Chief Operating Officer of RWE Dea AG. “We believe our familiarity with this technology will provide us with the confidence to successfully make the transition to the Southern North Sea.” RWE Dea’s commitment to the long term future of the UKCS is further demonstrated by its leadership in both the Clipper South development and the Breagh field development, which is following a similar development time frame.
First gas from the Clipper South field is expected in the first half of 2012 and field peak rates are expected to reach a maximum of 100 mmscf/d. Production will be via a new wellhead platform and pipeline connected to the LOGGS offshore complex then on to the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal in Lincolnshire. Clipper South gas will be transported and processed through LOGGS under the terms of a Gas Transportation and Processing Agreement with the LOGGS owners.
All contracts for the new facilities have been awarded. The platform engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract is in progress with Heerema Vlissingen BV. The platform will be installed by Seaway Heavy Lifting Contracting Ltd., and the 12” and 3” pipeline connections (gas and chemical supply respectively) to the LOGGS complex will be installed by Technip UK Ltd. Necessary modifications to the LOGGS complex are being undertaken by the LOGGS Operator, ConocoPhillips. Development drilling will commence in the fourth quarter of 2011, once the Clipper South platform is installed this summer.
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Source:RWE DEA, March 7, 2011;