Neptune Energy and its joint venture partners bp and JAPEX, today announced drilling has commenced on the Seagull project in the UK Central North Sea.

The Gorilla VI (JU-248) jack-up rig, operated by Valaris, will drill four wells for the development over the course of the drilling campaign which is expected to last 18 months.

Neptune Energy’s UK Managing Director, Alexandra Thomas, said:
“In late 2020, we successfully completed the first subsea construction phase for the Seagull project, that underpins Neptune’s further growth on the UKCS.

“Thanks to a collaborative approach between Neptune, our partners bp and JAPEX and key contractors, we are progressing with the project at pace and have reached another important milestone. 

“Seagull is expected to produce 50,000 boe per day (gross) and will make a significant contribution to both UK MER and energy security, as well as supporting local supply chains.”

Seagull is a high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) development on UK licence P1622 Block 22/29C, 17km south of the bp-operated ETAP Central Processing Facility (CPF). Proved plus probable gross reserves are estimated at 50 million boe.

The development will be tied back to the ETAP CPF, partially utilising existing subsea infrastructure. Gas from the development will come onshore at the CATS processing terminal at Teesside, while oil will come onshore through the Forties Pipeline System to the Kinneil Terminal at Grangemouth. 

Neptune is the operator of Seagull and has a 35% equity interest. Its joint venture partners are bp with 50% and JAPEX with 15%.

The Seagull project

The Seagull project connects the oil and gas field with existing nearby facilities. The field is projected to hold 19.0 mmboe net 2P reserves. 

The Seagull field will be developed with up to four subsea wells drilled from a new four-slot manifold 17 km south of the BP-operated ETAP Central Processing Facility (CPF). Production will be evacuated via a new 5 km subsea pipeline, which will tie the Seagull manifold to the existing Heron pipeline system via a newly installed tie-in skid at the Egret manifold. Production will then utilise the Heron pipeline system and riser to evacuate fluids to the ETAP CPF. The planned development will require installation of a new 17 km control umbilical direct from ETAP.

From the ETAP CPF Seagull gas will be exported via the CATS pipeline system to shore at the CATS Processing Terminal. Seagull oil will be exported to shore through the GAEL and FPS pipeline systems to the Kinneil Terminal onshore.

Wash water will be provided to the Seagull drill centre via the existing Heron wash water riser and flowline, and a newly installed 5 km long wash water line between the existing Egret manifold and the Seagull manifold. A pre-investment will be made to facilitate future connectivity between the gas lift service and the manifold.

New infrastructure requirements have been minimised by reuse of the Egret manifold tie-in point on the Heron cluster pipeline system and wash water line. Topsides modifications at ETAP are minimised by reuse of the Heron field test separator and existing Heron risers for production and gas lift service.

KeyFacts Energy: Neptune Energy UK country profile