Amplus, Technip Join Forces to Develop UKCS Marginal Fields

Amplus Energy Services, an Aberdeen-based floating production solutions firm, has agreed a new venture with Technip in the UK to develop marginal fields in the North Sea.

With much of the remaining reserves inaccessible using existing infrastructure, the two firms have joined forces using their individual expertise to provide an integrated and fit for purpose solution for challenging field developments.

There is an estimated 24 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) still to be developed and produced in the UKCS.

Technip in the UK will bring its project management, engineering and products to the relationship, developing subsea infrastructure, while Amplus has developed a dynamically positioned (DP) versatile production unit (VPU).

The Amplus VPU utilises FSPO (floating, production, storage and offloading) and DP vessel technology. The vessel has been designed to meet the conditions of the North Sea and is also suitable for projects in other areas of the world such as West Africa, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and South East Asia.

The VPU has evolved from proven DP FPSO technology, from a major oil and gas operator, and the Dis-connectable Turret System (DTS) is field proven in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Australia. It boasts 200,000bbl oil storage capacity and a NOV designed topsides processing system.

Amplus managing director, Ian Herd, said: “Working alongside such a global leader as Technip to support the subsea infrastructure brings immense benefits to Amplus and offers the industry a strong collaboration to get these smaller fields developed. Our VPU design coupled with Technip’s vast worldwide expertise in subsea infrastructure is a winning combination offering a strong, reliable and cost effective option for the industry.”

Bill Morrice, managing director of Technip in the UK, said: “With the industry facing uncertain times, we are constantly striving to provide our clients with innovative technologies as well as smart and cost-effective solutions to meet the world’s energy challenges.

“This collaboration with Amplus is exciting and is a positive news story for the industry as a whole, and one which we hope will open new avenues for challenging field developments.”

Reportedly, Amplus and Technip in the UK are already jointly evaluating two potential projects in the West of Shetland and the Central North Sea.