bp plc started production from Seagull oil and gas field on license P1622 Block 22/29C, 17 km south of the bp-operated Eastern Trough Area Project central processing facility (ETAP CPF) in UK Central North Sea.
Seagull is a four-well development subsea tieback to the ETAP CPF. It is the first tieback to the ETAP hub in 20 years. Production is delivered via a new 3-mile subsea pipeline which connects to an existing pipeline system. A new 10-mile umbilical has been installed, linking the ETAP CPF to Seagull field, providing control, power, and communications services between surface and seafloor, the company said.
Oil from Seagull is exported through the Forties Pipeline System to Grangemouth in central Scotland and gas is exported to Teesside via the Central Area Transmission System. Seagull is expected to produce about 50,000 boe/d at peak production.
The ETAP hub came online in July 1998. It was initially estimated to have a production life of 20-25 years, with decommissioning predicted to begin in 2023. A $1-billion investment in 2015 secured its future into the 2030s.
Neptune Energy holds a 35% stake in Seagull and is operator through the development phase, drilling wells, and installing subsea equipment (OGJ Online, Jan. 28, 2021). bp holds 50% and is operator for the production phase. JAPEX holds the remaining 15% interest in the field.
