DEVELOPMENT OF ALBA FIELD OFF U.K. APPROVED

Dec. 24, 1990

Partners in a group led by Chevron U.K. Ltd. have approved development of Alba field in the U.K. North Sea. The 300 million bbl field in Block 16/26 is expected to be on stream in late 1993 or early 1994 at 60,000-70,000 b/d, building to a peak of 100,000 b/d.

Partners in a group led by Chevron U.K. Ltd. have approved development of Alba field in the U.K. North Sea.

The 300 million bbl field in Block 16/26 is expected to be on stream in late 1993 or early 1994 at 60,000-70,000 b/d, building to a peak of 100,000 b/d.

Partners approved a phased development plan with a steel drilling-production platform in the northern part of the field followed by a second platform in the southern part 5 years after start-up. Oil will be transported through a floating storage unit. Chevron said Phase 1 development will provide experience of production from shallow Eocene sands at 6,000 ft.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Improved knowledge of drilling/production techniques associated with the field's heavy crude will help determine design of the southern platform, expected to be larger than the northern unit.

Chevron said the development plan took into account the unconsolidated reservoir sands and underlying water, shallowness of the reservoir and requirements for highly deviated wells, and a low energy reservoir requiring artificial lift and water injection from the outset.

The wells will require gravel packing, and Chevron noted that horizontal drilling demanded by the shallow reservoir would make gravel pack installation more difficult.

Partners in Alba with Chevron are Amerada Hess Ltd., Aran Energy Exploration Ltd., Clyde Petroleum plc, Conoco (U.K.) Ltd., Fina Petroleum Development Ltd., Oryx Energy Co., Phillips Petroleum Co. U.K. Ltd., Santa Fe Exploration (U.K.) Ltd., Unilon Oil Explorations Ltd./Baytrust Oil Explorations Ltd.