BP reported first oil production from the Clair Ridge project 75 km west of the Shetland Islands. Clair Ridge is a multibillion investment in the second phase of development of Clair field comprising two bridge-linked platforms and pipeline systems to connect storage and redelivery facilities on Shetland.
The new facilities are designed for 40 years of production. The project has been designed to recover an estimated 640 million bbl of oil with production expected to ramp up to a peak at plateau level of 120,000 b/d, BP said.
BP describes Clair Ridge as the first sanctioned large-scale offshore enhanced oil recovery scheme using reduced salinity water injection to extract a higher proportion of oil over the life of the field. Over the life of the development, up to an additional 40 million bbl could be cost-effectively recovered, BP said.
The project also included new pipeline infrastructure with the installation of a 5.5-km, 22-inch oil export pipeline tying into the Clair Phase 1 export pipeline. A new 14.6-km, six-inch gas export pipeline tying Clair Ridge into the West of Shetland Pipeline Systems (WOSPS) was also installed. The WOSPS transports gas from West of Shetland to the Sullom Voe Terminal.
Clair Ridge features an advanced drill rig which will deliver a drilling program over several years. There are 36 well slots—two are being used for the tieback of pre-drilled wells. The drilling program, which could last more than 10 years, includes drilling and completing development wells from the remaining 34 well slots.
Clair field background
Clair field was discovered in 1977 and its first development phase was sanctioned in 2001. Phase 1 utilized a single fixed platform with production and process topsides facilities, supported by a steel jacket and associated oil and gas export facilities.
Production from Clair started in 2005 from the first phase facilities, which are designed to continue producing until 2028 (OGJ Online, Feb. 25, 2005). About 80 million bbl have been produced thus far.
Total hydrocarbons initially in place across the entire field are estimated at more than 7 billion boe.
BP is operator with 28.6% interest; Shell, 28%; ConocoPhillips, 24%; and Chevron North Sea Ltd. 19.4%.
In July 2018, BP agreed to buy from ConocoPhillips a subsidiary which will holds a 16.5% interest in the field, subject to regulatory approval. Once the deal completes, BP will hold a 45.1% interest in Clair and ConocoPhillips will retain a 7.5% interest (OGJ Online, July 5, 2018)
