Engie’s Cygnus offshore field starts production (UK)

The Engie-operated Cygnus gas field offshore UK has started production.

Engie said on Thursday that Cygnus, located in licence areas P1055 & P1731, is expected to contribute 5% of UK gas production – supplying sufficient gas to heat the equivalent of 1.5 million UK homes.

 

Ruud Zoon, Managing Director of ENGIE E&P UK Limited said:  “First gas from Cygnus represents a significant boost to the UK’s long term energy security, with an estimated production life exceeding 20 years. Furthermore, with over 80% of the contract work secured by British businesses – including fabrication yards in Hartlepool, Methil and Burntisland – it is a showcase for the technical and commercial excellence of the UK oil and gas supply chain.”

 

The Cygnus complex, with four platforms, a total of 10 wells and two subsea structures, serves an estimated field size of 250 square kilometres from which it is expected to achieve plateau production of 250 million cubic feet per day.

According to Centrica, a partner in the field, wih first gas flowing from Cygnus and into the National Transmission System, “meaning Cygnus is on course to be the largest producing gas field in the UK North Sea in 2017.”

 

Work underway on extension

 

At peak, the field will contribute 5 per cent of the UK’s total gas production, enough to heat the equivalent of 1.5million homes.

First gas from the field, 150 kilometers off the Lincolnshire coast, comes via the Cygnus Alpha platform, however, Centrica says work is already underway to extend the field further via fresh wells being drilled at the nearby Cygnus Bravo platform.

Chris Cox, Managing Director of Centrica’s Exploration & Production business, said: “The Cygnus field is hugely important to the country’s energy supply, so we are proud that gas is now flowing from the field and into homes and businesses across the UK.

The field is estimated to have 2P reserves of 636 billion cubic feet of gas.

Andy Samuel, Chief Executive of the Oil & Gas Authority, said: “Centrica, ENGIE E&P and Bayerngas have demonstrated an impressive collaborative effort in achieving first production from Cygnus. It represents a significant milestone for the Southern North Sea, delivering new volumes through existing infrastructure, utilizing the UK’s skilled supply chain and helping create the right conditions for further developments.

“This is set to continue with the next phase of development from Cygnus Bravo which will bring additional capacity on stream in the future to help maximize economic recovery for the UK.”