Ithaca: Harrier field start-up on the horizon

The time for the start-up of Ithaca Energy-operated Harrier field located in the Greater Stella Area (GSA) in the UK North Sea is fast approaching with only one major step left to be taken before the field is fired up. 

The GSA production hub is underpinned by the development of the Stella and Harrier fields, with the former being already online. The plan for the joint development of the fields was approved in 2012. The area also contains the Hurricane discovery, the Twister prospect, and the Vorlich discovery, which is located 10 kilometers North of Stella.

Ithaca launched a development program for the Harrier field back in January 2017, with production start-up expected in the second half of 2018, while production from the Stella field started in February that same year.

The program for the Harrier field involved drilling of a multilateral well into the two reservoir formations on the field, with the well tied back via a 7.5 kilometer pipe to an existing slot on the Stella main drill center manifold for onward export and processing of production on the FPF-1 production facility.

Ithaca, which was recently taken over by Israeli Delek, said in its quarterly report on Tuesday that completion of Harrier field development activities are progressing ahead of schedule with only tie-in of the Harrier infield pipeline to the existing GSA facilities remaining prior to start-up in mid-2018.

The North Sea operator also said that planning is underway for drilling of a potential Stella infill well in 2019 to maximize reserves recovery from the field.

Furthermore, Vorlich development has been sanctioned and is progressing to plan. The field will be tied back to the FPF-1 with work underway to deliver start-up of production in 2020.

Les Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We continue to make good progress in extending the GSA production hub, with the remaining Harrier development activities running ahead of schedule and start-up of the field anticipated mid-2018.”

The company’s average 2018 production is forecast to be approximately 15,000 boepd, reflecting the divestment of the Wytch Farm field, the anticipated start-up of the Harrier field, and planned maintenance shutdowns being undertaken during the year.

Offshore Energy Today Staff