BP PLC expects production to begin in 2020 from Alligin oil field in the North Sea, for which it has received development approval from the UK Oil & Gas Authority.
Alligin is a 20 million-bbl recoverable oil field in the Greater Schiehallion area about 140 km west of Shetland in 475 m of water. It is expected to produce 12,000 boe/d (gross) at peak from two wells tied back to the existing Schiehallion and Loyal subsea infrastructure using processing and export facilities of the Glen Lyon floating production, storage, and offloading vessel. The development will include new subsea systems comprised of gas lift and water injection pipeline systems and a controls umbilical. The wells will be drilled by the Deepsea Aberdeen rig.
Alligin is operated by BP with 50%. Shell, with the other 50%, is BP’s partner.
BP North Sea Regional Pres. Ariel Flores said, “Alligin is part of our advantaged oil story, rescuing stranded reserves and tying them back into existing infrastructure. Developments like this have shorter project cycles, allowing us to bring on new production quicker. These subsea tiebacks complement our major start-ups and underpin BP’s commitment to the North Sea.”
This is BP’s second North Sea development approval in the past 2 months. Vorlich, which targets 30 million boe, received regulatory approval in September (OGJ Online, Sept. 28, 2018).
