A-Fields
A-Fields is a collective term that describes the Ann, Alison, and Annabel subsea tiebacks and the Audrey XW and WD Normally Unmanned Installations (NUIs). These are situated in the Southern North Sea, in a water depth of approximately 27m, 112km due east of Theddelthorpe Gas Terminal (TGT).
Production ceased in May 2016, and the subsea and platform wells were plugged and abandoned in 2019. The topsides and jackets were removed and transported to the port of Blyth, where 97% recycling rates were achieved, and all hazardous materials were safely disposed of. Subsea equipment removal is ongoing as part of a portfolio-wide programme with similar high recycling targets.
Gas
Bains
The Bains field consists of a single subsea well, 113/3b-4, and is located in UKCS block 110/03C, approximately 27km west of Blackpool. The Bains field was discovered in 1988 and commenced production in 2002. Development is via well 110/3c-5 and an eight km subsea tieback to the South Morecambe DP1 platform. The field was granted Cessation of Production (COP) consent in November 2017 after reaching 85% recovery.
The Whitehaven extension to the Rhyl gas field was confirmed by well 113/27b-9 well in 2013. Analysis demonstrated that the well was connected to the rest of the Rhyl field and was not a separate accumulation.
In 2018, Spirit Energy sanctioned the decommissioning of the Bains subsea development and the Rhyl 113/27b-9 well. Both were safely abandoned, and the subsea infrastructure was cleaned and removed in accordance with the approved decommissioning programme.
Gas
DP3 - DP4
The South Morecambe field development comprises seven fixed jacket platforms, including the three-platform manned Central Processing Complex (CPC) and four Normally Unmanned Installations (NUIs) - DP3, DP4, DP6 and DP8. Production rates from DP3 and DP4 declined to sub-economic levels and are being decommissioned following Spirit Energy’s strategy, which seeks to lower operating costs and extend the economic life of the Morecambe Hub.
The 14, DP3 and DP4 wells have been safely plugged and abandoned, and the gas production and export facilities have been fully cleaned and de-energised. The world’s largest vessel, the Pioneering Spirit, removed both installations. The facilities were transported to the shore at Methil, Fife, Scotland, where they achieved a 99% recycling rate.
Gas
Ensign
The Ensign field is located in the Southern North Sea, in blocks 48/14a and 48/15a, in a water depth of approximately 25m. The Ensign platform is a Not Permanently Attended Installation (NPAI) compromising of a four-legged steel jacket (sea searcher design) fixed installation. The two platform wells and single subsea well were plugged and abandoned in July 2019. The topsides and jacket have been removed, and all facilities have been transported to the Port of Blyth, where 97% recycling rates were achieved, and all hazardous materials were safely disposed of. Subsea equipment removal is ongoing as part of a portfolio-wide programme with similar high recycling targets.
While in production, the fluids were exported via a 24km 10” pipeline connected to the Audrey A platform, then onwards to the LOGGS platform and onshore Theddelthorpe Gas Terminal. Production commenced in 2012 and ceased in 2019.
Gas
Halley
The Halley field consists of three separate accumulations, Alpha, Beta and Gamma, all located approximately five kilometres to the north-east of the Fulmar field. Halley consists of two extended reach wells drilled from the Fulmar platform and two subsea wells tied back to Fulmar.
The Halley field reached cessation of production (CoP) in October 2018, and the subsea and platform wells are planned to form part of the wider Fulmar area decommissioning programme.
Oil
Victor
The Victor gas field was developed using a Normally Unmanned Installation (NUI), operated from the nearby Viking field. Prior to Cessation of Production in 2016, the volumes were processed at the Viking facility and exported to the terminal facilities at Theddlethorpe via the Viking Transportation System (VTS). Decommissioning is ongoing with all well plug and abandonment completed and the subsea infrastructure removal ongoing.
Gas
Chestnut
Chestnut has outstripped all expectations since first oil in 2008, and demonstrates the value of focused, late-life management.
Located in block 22/2a of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), at 117m water depth, the development comprises three production wells and one water injection well, tied back to the 2008-built Hummingbird Spirit Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
Produced fluids were processed, with oil stored on the FPSO and exported via a shuttle tanker, usually to Rotterdam. The field life was extended to 2022 when the FPSO was decommissioned and taken off-station to be repurposed as part of third-party development. Well plug and abandonment have been completed, and the subsea equipment removal is ongoing as part of a portfolio-wide programme.
Oil
Trees
Located in blocks 16/12a and 16/7 in the Central North Sea, at a water depth of 125m, Trees is a multi-production and injection well subsea development over three separate oil accumulations (Birch, Larch, and Sycamore) tied back to Brae Alpha. One Sycamore production well is an extended-reach platform well from the Tiffany platform, and oil is exported via the Forties Pipeline. Production started in 1995, with an expected field life of 2023+.
Production started in 1995 and ceased in 2023 when the field was plugged and abandoned as part of a Central North Sea area-wide decommissioning programme along with Chestnut and Appleton. The subsea infrastructure cleaning will be completed over the next two years, and the subsea equipment removal will be part of our portfolio-wide removal and recycling programme.
Oil
York
The York field straddles blocks 47/2a, 47/3a, 47/3d and 47/3e in the Southern North Sea, in a water depth of 42m, approximately 34km from the North East Yorkshire coastline. The York facility is a Not Permanently Attended Installation (NPAI). The platform is a four-legged, jacket-type fixed installation, with three platform wells in production.
Well fluids were gathered in a manifold and exported to the Easington Gas Terminal via a 16" export line. The platform, installed in 2012 (with a 25-year design life), is also controlled remotely from Easington. Production commenced in 2013, and a successful life extension enabled production until 2024. Well plug and abandonment and removal planning are ongoing, with work due to commence in 2025.
Gas