Serica Energy has submitted a field development plan (FDP) for the Columbus field, located in Blocks 23/16f and 23/21a Columbus Subarea in the UKCS Central North Sea.
The FDP provides for the supply of up to 40 million cubic feet of gas per day (gross) at peak to the UK gas market and 1,150 barrels per day (gross) of condensate and natural gas liquids.
The development area will be drained by a single subsea well, which will be connected to the proposed Arran-Shearwater pipeline, through which Columbus production will be exported along with Arran field production.
The FDP is therefore contingent on development approval and go-ahead for the Arran project. When the production reaches the Shearwater platform facilities, it will be separated into gas and liquids and exported via the SEGAL line to St Fergus and Forties Pipeline System to Cruden Bay respectively.
Columbus development timing will depend on the Arran-Shearwater pipeline being tied into the Shearwater platform in Q3 2020.
Columbus start-up is targeted for Q2 2021.
The Oil and Gas Authority has indicated its approval of the FDP will be subject to certain standard requirements including approval of the Columbus environmental statement, which has been submitted to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and is currently subject to a public consultation.
Final approval of the FDP and ES are expected before the end of September 2018.
Serica has a 50% interest in the Columbus development and is operator. Other participants are EOG Resources and Endeavour Energy, each holding a 25% interest.