Neptune gets green light for two North Sea projects

Neptune Energy has confirmed that its development plans for the Duva (PL636) and Gjøa P1 (PL153) projects in the North Sea have been approved by Norwegian authorities.

First production from the projects is expected in late 2020 with total recoverable resources estimated to be 120 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) (maximum production is expected to be respectively 30,000 boe from Duva and 24,000 boe from Gjøa P1), Neptune said on Wednesday.

The fields will be developed through subsea tie-backs connecting two templates to the nearby Gjøa platform, operated by Neptune Energy Norge.

Neptune Energy Norge’s Managing Director, Odin Estensen, said: “With these plans approved, we remain on track for the successful execution of these important projects. Not only do these developments strengthen Gjøa’s position as a major hub in the northern North Sea, they demonstrate our ambitions to continue growing our business on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.”

On behalf of the license owners, Neptune Energy submitted development plans for the Duva (PL636) and Gjøa P1 (PL153) projects to Norwegian authorities on February 21 this year.

The Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) of the Duva field was submitted on behalf of the Duva partnership, which consists of Idemitsu Petroleum Norge (30%), Pandion Energy (20%), Wellesley Petroleum (20%) and Neptune Energy (30% and Operator).

Duva’s recoverable resources are estimated to be 88 million boe and it is expected to yield around 30,000 boe per day at maximum production. Developed with a four-slot subsea template, the Duva field will be tied back to the Gjøa platform for processing and export. The field will have three production wells, two oil producers and one gas producer, with the potential for an additional oil well.

As the P1 segment was already covered by the development plan for the Gjøa field, an application for exemption from PDO was submitted on behalf of the Gjøa license partners, consisting of Petoro (30%), Wintershall (20%), OKEA (12%), DEA (8%) and Neptune Energy (30% and Operator). P1’s recoverable resources are estimated to be 32 million boe and it is expected to yield around 24,000 boe per day at maximum production.

The subsea tie-backs will be delivered by TechnipFMC utilizing the Neptune Subsea Alliance Agreement, the drilling operations will be undertaken by Odfjell Drilling and topside modifications completed by Rosenberg Worley.

Erik Oppedal, Projects & Engineering Manager for Neptune Energy Norge, added: “The approval of the plans allows us to start this summer with the first step in our parallel project execution– the subsea installation of the Duva template. Together with the ongoing installation activities for the Fenja development in the Norwegian Sea, this demonstrates the company’s ability to execute developments with pace and efficiency optimizing resources and accelerating time to production.”