Oil firm EnQuest has begun producing first oil from the Scolty/Crathes development in the North Sea.

Located around 160km north east of Aberdeen, the fields are estimated to contain up to 15 million barrels of gross oil technical reserves. Enquest has a 50% stake in the development, with MOL Growest (II) Ltd holding the remaining percentage.

The company's Chief Executive Officer, Amjad Bseisu, said production is expected to continue until 2025.

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"EnQuest is pleased to confirm the delivery of first oil from Scolty/Crathes ahead of schedule and under budget, approximately a year after the Field Development Plan (‘FDP') was approved and the project was sanctioned," he said.

"This was the only offshore pure oil FDP approval in the UK North Sea in 2015.

Andy Samuel, Chief Executive of the Oil and Gas Authority, added: "The safe and successful first oil milestone from Scolty and Crathes is testament to EnQuest and MOL's efforts, working at pace and in excellent collaboration with the service sector to create efficiencies and value. This has unlocked the economic recovery of a small pools development and sustains the wider Greater Kittiwake Area and infrastructure. It embodies good asset stewardship which is crucial to achieving MER UK."

(LM/MH)