Spirit Energy extends the life of North Sea gas field

The Spirit Energy-owned York gas field located in the Southern North Sea has been given another three years of life following a successful life extension project.

The Spirit Energy-operted York field is located in the Southern North Sea, approx. 34 km from the North East Yorkshire coastline.

The field achieved its first gas in 2013 and was expected to produce until 2020. Now, the production is extended until 2023/24.

Namely, in July 2020, Spirit Energy revealed its decision to add another three years of life to the field through a life extension project.

In an update on Tuesday, Spirit said that the field achieved first gas from the recent campaign on 18 April. The project was sanctioned by Spirit in May 2020.

Girish Kabra, Spirit Energy’s Director for North Sea operated assets, said: “First gas from the project is a result of hard work and determination of the joint team of Spirit Energy, Perenco, Centrica Storage Limited and our supply chain partners. It is good to see York producing safely again after a short pause for the life-extension project”.

According to Spirit Energy, the project extends the life of an important North Sea field for the company, which has produced 45 billion cubic feet of gas over the past eight years and a further 18 billion cubic feet is expected thanks to the recent investment.

Kabra said: “It’s a great achievement and we’ve done it despite the challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Gas to Dimlington

The life extension work comprised activities both onshore and offshore, including a walk to work campaign. The project included re-routing the York gas to the Dimlington Gas Terminal, accessing its onshore gas compression facility, moving from its previous export route via the Easington Gas Terminal.

Kabra said: “Access to low-pressure compression at Dimlington brings a new chapter to the York field, giving a minimum of three years extension to its producing life. There is some non-first gas related work remaining on the project, including a well intervention to further optimise production, which is scheduled to be completed later in the year”.

“The project is a testament to how value can be realised with a commitment to collaboration and the industry’s and regulator’s shared objective of delivering maximised economic recovery for the UK”.