Maersk Oil has begun drilling operations at the high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) Culzean field in the North Sea.

The well is the first of six production wells to be drilled at the site and first gas is estimated to be produced in 2019.

The five-year operation has been prepared for by simulating the development on a digital 'virtual well', using a specialised drilling simulator at Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University.

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Gretchen Watkins, Chief Executive Officer designate, Maersk Oil, said: "This is an important milestone in ensuring that we can deliver Culzean on schedule, and with it 5% of UK gas demand in 2020/21. It's great to have Maersk Drilling as a partner and together we are working to ensure a safe drilling programme on this critical project for Maersk and the UK."

Andrew Lough, Culzean's Wells Delivery Manager, added: "Working on a virtual rig, designed to look and feel like the Maersk Highlander has been invaluable.

"It has enabled us to prepare in a very lifelike environment for the drilling campaign, which will contribute to a safe and efficient drilling operation that will be an important milestone in developing the largest new field discovered in the UK North Sea for more than a decade."

(LM)