Maersk Oil is continuing work on it's high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) Culzean development in the North Sea.

The company has finished installing all three of the project's jackets and the scheme remains on target to start delivering first gas in 2019.

The Culzean field lies around 145 miles east of Aberdeen. It is estimated to produce between 60,000 – 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day once operational, with a lifespan of at least 13 years.

The installation of Central Processing Facilities (CPF) and the Utilities and Living Quarters (ULQ) jackets was completed on 20 July. The Wellhead Platform (WHP) jacket was installed last year. A three jackets were built by Heerema and installed using the Heerema Marine operated crane vessel; the Thialf.

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Gretchen Watkins, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maersk Oil, said: "Culzean was sanctioned less than two years ago and already we've progressed the project over the halfway mark.

"We're continuing to hit our milestones on time and this progress means we're on track to deliver first gas in 2019. Nonetheless with a project of this size we can't be complacent so we're committed to ensuring remaining workscopes are executed safely and successfully."

Martin Urquhart, Culzean Project Director, said: "With the foundation of the Culzean installation firmly in place and waiting, focus is now fixed on finalising the construction of the three topsides and the Floating, Storage and Offload (FSO) vessel Ailsa.

"We have just celebrated the completion of the deck stacking of the topsides and the sail away of these structures is on schedule for next year. Their installation will take us to the beginning of the hook up and commissioning campaign, the final step before first gas is delivered in 2019."

Image: Maersk Oil CEO Gretchen Watkins at the final installation of the third Culzean jacket in the UK North Sea.

(LM/MH)