First gas has been exported from Cygnus Bravo, the satellite wellhead platform in the Southern North Sea’s Cygnus development, operated by ENGIE E&P UK.
On the morning of Tuesday August 1, first gas from Bravo was exported 7km SE to Cygnus Alpha, which itself has been at a plateau of 250 million cubic feet per day since December 13, 2016. Combined output then travels from the Alpha processing unit, 150km off the coast of Lincolnshire, via a 55km link to the Esmond Transmission System – which ultimately lands at the Bacton gas terminal in Norfolk.
The overall Cygnus complex comprises four platforms and two subsea structures, serving an estimated field size of 250 square kilometres. It contributes 5% of UK gas production; sufficient to heat the equivalent of 1.5million UK homes.
Maria Moraeus Hanssen , CEO of ENGIE E&P commented: “This is a major milestone for the Cygnus development. It is a very successful achievement; well controlled and safely delivered. I want to congratulate all the teams that have been involved.”
“Gas from this second drill centre will contribute significantly to extending the plateau production that Cygnus Alpha has been achieving for the last eight months.”
Bravo first gas was delivered from well B5 in one of the platform’s 10 well slots, out of 20 across the whole Cygnus complex. A further three Bravo wells are expected to come online during August with a total of five available in 2018, after drilling of well B1 is completed.
Over 80% of the contract work during Cygnus construction was secured by British businesses, supporting more than 5000 jobs at peak. Cygnus is estimated at 110 mmboe (million barrels of oil equivalent) and an anticipated production life exceeding 20 years. In addition to output from the complex itself, the partners are evaluating further opportunities in the Greater Cygnus area with the aim of bringing additional volumes through Cygnus when capacity becomes available.
Equity interests are operator ENGIE E&P UK Limited (38.75%) and partners Centrica (48.75%) and Bayerngas (12.5%).