Centrica Energy to extend oil production at Chestnut field in UK

Centrica Energy has announced its consent to keep the FPSO Hummingbird Spirit on the Chestnut field in the UK North Sea through March 2016.

Owned by Teekay, the cylindrical FPSO has been operating on the company’s Chestnut field in the Central North Sea since 2008 and has already produced over 13 million barrels of oil.

According to the company, the Chestnut field is located 200km north-east of Aberdeen and is producing around 7,000 barrels per day at present.

Initially the field was expected to produce around seven million barrels of oil over three years, however, with recoverable reserves estimated to be around 18 million barrels, the field is now expected to produce more.

In this regard, the company will develop a water injection side-track well, sustain production efficiency and maintain a relationship with Teekay, the Duty Holder Wood Group PSN and its partners.

Centrica Energy senior vice-president for the UK and Netherlands Colette Cohen said the company’s announcement to extend production at its Chestnut field shows that its efforts to optimize recovery from its North Sea assets are paying off.

“Centrica Energy is making good progress towards its international production goal and our UK operations will continue to play an important part of our success story, as we invest in new and existing projects,” Cohen added.

The Hummingbird Spirit stores more than 200,000 barrels of oil and has multiple, flexible risers to carry oil from the two production wells and water to the single injection well.