UKCS Makes Efficiency Savings, But Not Gas Pipes

Production efficiency (PE) on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) has risen for a fourth consecutive year to 73%, according to a new publication released by UK upstream regulator, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). That's an extra 12mn barrels of oil equivalent (boe) production, compared with 2015. 

The report, UKCS Production Efficiency in 2016, compares actual production in 2016 to the theoretical maximum economic potential of the fields and associated infrastructure, compared with previous years. Data were collected as part of the OGA's 2016 UKCS Stewardship Survey, which allowed for a more in-depth analysis in key areas, for example in looking at the major causes of lost production.

In its Activity Plan 2017 and 2018, OGA set a target of 80% PE for the UKCS by the end of 2018.

Overall, recent years have seen the UKCS reverse the declining trend in both PE and overall production, said the OGA, adding that from 2012 to 2016 losses have fallen by 157mn boe while production has risen by 34mn boe.

Gas compression losses improved in 2016 highlighting the significant effort and engagement made by industry, it added.

In contrast, it noted that losses associated with gas export pipeline systems were up by 2.3mn boe, from 28.5mn boe in 2015 to 30.8mn boe in 2016.

Mark Smedley