Centrica Produces First Gas at Ensign

Centrica has begun production on the Ensign field in the UK North Sea, Upstream has reported, following the use of new technology to access the resources of the field.

The resources of the field, which was proven positive for gas in 1986, had up until recently remained unreachable via existing technologies. However, following new technologies, the company was able to drill vertically to a depth of 8,000 feet and then horizontally through the reservoir. Subsea fracturing was then used to encourage the gas flow into the well.

The new technologies came under the spotlight when the Discovery Channel followed the operations for a programme called "Mega Rigs" during which the process was captured on camera.

The video is available to watch on Centrica's website here.

At the time of press, Centrica had not made any statement in relation to the reports of production, nor had any flow rate or production capacity been confirmed.