Chevron has shut down the Erskine field, located in the UK Central North Sea, due to blockage in the condensate export pipeline.
During the routine pipeline cleaning operations of the Lomond to Everest condensate export pipeline a blockage occurred in the pipeline.
The company is currently investigating the cause of the blockage and during the investigation the field will be unable to produce, Serica Energy, who holds 18% non-operating interest in the Erskine, said.
To remind, the Erskine field also experienced a shut down in December, due to the crack in the Forties pipeline which caused the halt in production form Erskine and other fields that use the pipeline.
The Erskine field is a High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) gas condensate field developed with five producing wells.
The production facilities comprise a normally unmanned platform located at Erskine with production handled and controlled from the Chrysaor-operated Lomond platform.
Gas and liquids produced from Erskine are transported to the Lomond platform via a 16-inch nominal bore multiphase pipeline where the fluids are processed.
Gas is then delivered via Everest and the CATS pipeline system to a terminal at Teeside.
The condensate separated at the Lomond platform is delivered via the Forties pipeline to Cruden Bay.
“Chevron North Sea Limited is the operator of the Erskine field and can confirm that due to a blockage in the Lomond to Everest condensate export pipeline, operated by a third party, the Erskine field has halted production.
“The cause of the blockage is being investigated by the operator of the pipeline. As operator of the Erskine field, Chevron is committed to working collaboratively with our co-venturers,” Chevron spokesperson said to SSWN in an e-mail statement.