First Gas at Cygnus, UK's Largest Producing Gas Field in 2017

First Gas at Cygnus, UK's Largest Producing Gas Field in 2017
First gas has flowed from the Cygnus field, which is on course to be the largest producing gas field in the UK North Sea in 2017, according to Centrica plc.

First gas has flowed from the Cygnus field, which is on course to be the largest producing gas field in the UK North Sea in 2017, according to Centrica plc.

 

 

At peak, the field will contribute five percent of the UK’s total gas production, which is enough to heat the equivalent of 1.5 million homes, Centrica said in a statement sent to Rigzone.

Work on the Cygnus project, which commenced in 2012, has already created 5,000 jobs across the country during the construction phase alone.

“That 5,000 figure is made up of direct, indirect and induced jobs,” a Centrica spokesperson told Rigzone.

“[This] includes the teams directly employed by ourselves, Engie and Bayerngas, as well as our supply chain partners, but also the additional jobs in the local economy which are supported by work on the project,” he added.

As part of Cygnus’ initial job creation process, Heerema Fabrication Group alone employed 700 people to work on the construction of the Cygnus platforms in Hartlepool.

Going forward, Engie recently signed a contract extension for Cygnus work with Petrofac and progress has already been made to extend the field via fresh wells being drilled at the nearby Cygnus Bravo platform.

“The Cygnus field is hugely important to the country’s energy supply, so we are proud that gas is now flowing from the field and into homes and businesses across the UK,” Chris Cox, managing director of Centrica’s Exploration & Production business, said.

“This milestone was only possible thanks to the hard work and collaboration of the teams across Centrica, ENGIE E&P, Bayerngas and our supply chain partners,” he added.

Following the start-up of Cygnus, the Oil & Gas Authority praised the collaborative effort of the companies involved.

“Centrica, ENGIE E&P and Bayerngas have demonstrated an impressive collaborative effort in achieving first production from Cygnus. It represents a significant milestone for the Southern North Sea, delivering new volumes through existing infrastructure, utilizing the UK’s skilled supply chain and helping create the right conditions for further developments,” Andy Samuel, chief executive of the Oil & Gas Authority, said.

“This is set to continue with the next phase of development from Cygnus Bravo which will bring additional capacity on stream in the future to help maximize economic recovery for the UK,” he added.

Iain Wright, MP for Hartlepool and chairman of the business, energy and industrial strategy select committee also praised the commencement of first-gas from Cygnus.

“This achievement underlines just how important North East England is as an energy hub and I welcome the £1.3billion that Centrica and their partners have invested in this project, both in Hartlepool and right across the UK,” he said.

Cygnus was discovered in 1988 but it took a government tax allowance of $810 million (GBP 500 million) for large shallow-water gas fields - introduced in July 2012 - before the project could go ahead. Located just over 90 miles off the coast of Lincolnshire, England, Cygnus has estimated gross 2P reserves of approximately 635 billion cubic feet of gas.

The Cygnus gas field is operated by Engie E&P UK Limited. Centrica plc owns a 48.75 percent interest in the project.



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