Oil and Gas People has learned today that Totals North Sea, Culzean field has started production for the first time. The 5 year project has cost an estimated £3billion and will produce 5% of the UK’s annual gas when it reaches peak production in 2020.

In the below picture posted online, the flare can be seen burning as gas runs through the platform for the first time.

Culzean is a high-pressure / high-temperature (HP/HT) gas field located in Block 22/25a (License P111) of the UK continental shelf (UKCS), around 145 miles east of Aberdeen at a water depth of approximately 90m.

The field was discovered in December 2008 with the drilling of exploration well 22/25a-9z. Appraisal well 22/25a-10z was drilled between 2009 and March 2011. It was tested twice and delivered a drilling rig constrained rate of around 40 million cubic feet of gas and 900 barrels of condensate a day during each test.

Gas / condensate at the field are located within Triassic and Jurassic aged reservoirs situated at a depth of approximately 4,500m below sea level.

it is estimated the field holds up to 300million barrels of oil equivalent.