UK Approves Columbus Field Plan

UK offshore regulator, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), has approved Serica's development plan (FDP) for the Columbus gas and condensate field, Serica said October 31. Peak production is expected to be 7,800 gross barrels of oil equivalent/day, mostly gas. Best estimate 2C contingent resources have been calculated to be 13.4mn boe.

The development will be drained by a single well, connected to the recently-approved Arran-Shearwater pipeline, through which Columbus production will be exported along with Arran field production. When the production reaches the Shearwater platform facilities, it will be separated into gas and liquids and exported to terminals onshore. Columbus' development timing is dependent on the Arran-Shearwater pipeline being tied into the Shearwater platform in Q3 2020. Columbus start-up is targeted for mid-2021, Serica said.

Serica is the operator, with a 50% interest; EOG Resources United Kingdom and Endeavour Energy share the other half equally.

Serica CEO Mitch Flegg said the development is important in its own right and will also enhance its understanding of nearby exploration acreage which was secured by Serica in the UK's 30th licensing round.

OGA head, Andy Samuels, said: "Columbus is the final component of the OGA's Central Graben Area Plan, which also included the recently-sanctioned Fram and Arran fields, unlocking over 50mn boe recoverable reserves, which had struggled for decades to be developed. It is good to see how the industry has collaborated on many fronts to deliver additional value as part of our Maximising Economic Recovery in the UK agenda and we look forward to Columbus delivering first hydrocarbons in 2021".