Work is underway to build new platforms for the exploration of oil and gas in the North Sea.

The three topsides are being developed for Danish firm Maersk Oil as part of the $4.5 billion (£3.2 billion) Culzean project.

The Culzean gas field is located 145 miles east of Aberdeen and is the largest hydrocarbon discovery in the UK North Sea for over a decade.

Approve by the UK Government last year, the project is expected to produce between 60,000 - 90,000 boepd at plateau production for at least 13 years.

-- Advertisement --

A steel-cutting ceremony for the first of three platforms took place in Singapore yesterday, 07 April.

Speaking at the ceremony, Maersk Oil Chief Executive Jakob Thomasen said: "Starting the fabrication of the topsides is an important milestone.

"When the field begins to produce in 2019, Culzean will become a key contributor to Maersk Oil's ambition to become a Top 5 operator in the North Sea in the 2020s, and provide around 5% of UK gas demand at peak production.

"Maersk Oil and coventurers' investment will also support employment in both the UK and Asian supply chains."

(LM)