Clair Field Bridge-Linked Platforms Lifts Oil And Gas Industry At UK

The Clair Field which was discovered in 1977 started its first phase of production in the year 2005.

Development started later with the construction of its platforms that were bridge-linked. The pipeline which cost around £4.5 billion is being used to export oil and gas.

Export of oil from Clair is made to the Sullom Voe Terminal. The second phase of oil production has started and will give a new zest to areas around the North Sea.

Bernard Looney, the Upstream Chief from BP, says that it has taken 40 years to get oil from the Clair Ridge, but it was worth the investment from the UK.

Oil and Gas Chief Executive in the UK, Deirdre Michie says that Clair Ridge is an important milestone in developments at BP. It has been a worthy investment.

With production starting from the West of Shetland, the oil field Clair Ridge is expected to peak production to 120,000 barrels a day soon.

The 5.5 km pipeline will help to export oil economically. It was predicted to become dry by 2020 but has been able to outperform with the Clair Ridge platforms.

West of Shetland is not a very hospitable area, as it has deep waters and has waves that can rise to heights of 40 meters. Apart from the thick fog and harsh gales, the area is not very appealing. However, with various improvements in technology like the supercomputers and seismic imaging, the area has become a rich source of oil production, contrary to its original picture.

Now the area is finding competing companies vying to invest billions through vast projects. Total from France, Shell, and Equinor from Norway are the major companies investing here.

Britain’s industrial regulator, The Oil and Gas Authority has estimated that West of Shetland has 1.3 billion barrels in recoverable reserves. This estimation was made at the end of 2017.

Source: europeindustrynews.com