Talisman Sinopec / CB&I

The project, which is being carried out by Talisman (51%) and Sinopec (49%), was approved by the UK Government in October 2012. The MAR project will extend the life expectancy of the existing six oilfields to 2030 to produce a further 100 million barrels of oil equivalent. First gas and oil from the Shaw and Cayley fields are expected in 2015.

The project is being carried out with a brown field allowance (BFA) of £1.6bn ($2.4bn) creating up to 2,000 jobs. A $285m contract for the subsea development works of the project has been awarded to Subsea 7.

Geology, discovery and location of the oilfields

Hydrocarbons and oil at Montrose and Arbroath are found in kimmeridge clay formation within the Palaeocene forties sandstone and in mudstones of the Sele Formation. Montrose was discovered in 1971 and began production in 1976, while Arbroath was discovered in 1969 and began production in 1991.

Cayley was discovered in 2007 by the well 22/17-3 which was drilled about 10km west of Montrose at water depths of 91m. The field will be developed through two production wells.

Shaw was discovered in 2009 by the well 22/22a which was drilled by Talisman in collaboration with Marubeni. The field is located about 17km north of Montrose and will be developed through three production wells and two water injectors. The wells will be ultimately tied to the new Montrose bridge-linked platform (BLP).

Project details of the MonArb area redevelopment

A bridge-linked platform will be constructed and attached to the redeveloped Montrose Alpha Platform, which was originally installed in 1976. The bridge-link will measure 71m in length and weigh 350t.

Project information courtesy of www.offshore-technology.com