BP receives green light to develop North Sea Vorlich field

BP has received approval from the UK Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) to proceed with the Vorlich development in the central North Sea, which will target 30mn boe and is expected to produce 20,000 boe/d at peak.

The £200mn project is part of a programme of North Sea subsea tie-back developments that seek to access important new production from fields located near to established producing infrastructure.

Vorlich is a two-well development, and will be tied back to the Ithaca Energy-operated FPF-1 floating production facility, which lies at the centre of Greater Stella Area production hub. Ithaca has a 34% interest in Vorlich.

The field is expected onstream in 2020.

BP is also intending to develop Alligin as part of its subsea tie-back programme. Alligin is a two-well development west of Shetland, which will be tied back to BP’s Glen Lyon floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Alligin (BP 50% operator; Shell 50%) is a 20mn-barrel recoverable oil field in the Greater Schiehallion Area.

Commenting on the news, Oil & Gas UK Upstream Policy Director Mike Tholen said: ‘The Vorlich development gives us a view into the future of the UK Continental Shelf and news of its FDP approval will further bolster confidence in the region. BP’s focus on efficiency, innovation and collaboration confirms its commitment to maximising recovery from the basin. The use of existing infrastructure will be increasingly important as industry looks to unlock small pools. Oil & Gas UK’s recent Economic Report showed that these behaviours have the potential to add a generation of productive life to the basin. However, the report warns, a continued supply chain squeeze could risk industry’s ability to go after this prize, and focus must remain on bringing more major projects to delivery.’

FPF-1 preparation for sail-away
Photo: Ithaca Energy