Ithaca Energy has informed that the FPF-1 floating production platform for the Greater Stella Area development, in the UK North Sea, will be ready to leave the yard in two weeks time.

The FPF-1 floating production facility modifications program is being undertaken by Petrofac in the Remontowa shipyard in Poland.

Petrofac said in June that the semi-submersible production platform would leave the yard by the end of that month. Also in June, Ithaca secured access to the Norpipe oil pipeline system allowing oil exports from the Greater Stella Area development to transfer from tanker export to pipeline export during 2017.

According to Ithaca’s project update on Monday, the FPF-1 modifications are essentially complete and the vessel will be ready to leave the yard upon completion of approximately two weeks of work that is required to prepare for and perform the planned vessel inclination test and loading of supplies for the transit from the yard.

Importantly, Ithaca said, the onshore modifications scope has been completed in the yard without the need to carry onshore scope offshore. The FPF-1 is expected to leave the yard later this month and will complete the final marine system trials offshore Gdansk prior to being towed to the field, the company said. The anticipated period from sail-away to first hydrocarbons is approximately three months.

Les Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The FPF-1 works are now being finalized, with preparation and performance of the inclination test being the only work required prior to the vessel exiting the yard.”

He also added: “We are delighted with the quality and completeness of the vessel, having achieved our key objective of completing the onshore scope in the yard and avoided costly carry over of unfinished work offshore. Our existing production business is performing well, with volumes running ahead of guidance and continued deleveraging being delivered ahead of Stella start-up.”