Before reaching the Statoil operated Mariner field on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), the Floating Storage Unit (FSU) will sail a journey totalling 15,801 nautical miles (18,183 miles/29,263 kilometres) which equates to about two thirds of the circumference of the Earth.
“This is an important milestone for the Mariner project,” says Johan A. Johansen, Statoil’s vice president for Operations on the UKCS.
“Following last year’s successful installation of the steel jacket for the Mariner A platform, we are now getting another key component in place on the field. This year will also see the start of a pre-drilling campaign of production wells. We are very much looking forward to increasing our operational activity,” Johansen says.
Mariner B will have the conventional role of receiving, storing and offloading the oil produced at the field, but will also play a role in the production process as storage for diluent, which will be mixed with the heavy Mariner oil during the production process to enhance processing and increase the value of the crude. Total storage capacity is around 850,000 barrels, of which around 150,000 barrels is reserved for diluent.
Being towed at a speed of around eight knots, Mariner B is expected to arrive at Nigg Energy Park, north of Inverness, in early September. At Nigg a fiscal metering package, fabricated locally, will be installed on the vessel before it continues out to the field, where it will be anchored, hooked up to risers and carry out other tie-in and pre-commissioning activities.
OSM Offshore Aberdeen Ltd. was awarded the FSU management contract last year, supplying all operations, maintenance and marine crew services to Mariner B. ESS Offshore has been awarded the offshore catering and facilities contract for both Mariner A and B.
Mariner B can accommodate up to 32 personnel and will be available for continuous operation in harsh weather conditions, including shuttle tanker activities and helicopter operations. During normal operations, it will have a crew of 15.
The topsides for the Mariner A platform are expected to arrive next year. Following hook-up and commissioning, start-up is planned for 2018.
FACTS:
- The Mariner field is located on the East Shetland Platform of the UK North Sea, approximately 95 miles or 150 kilometres east of Shetland.
- Statoil is the operator of Mariner with 65.11% equity. Co-venturers are JX Nippon Exploration and Production (U.K.) Limited (28.89%) and Dyas UK Ltd. (6%).
- The field development concept includes a production, drilling and quarters (PDQ) platform based on a steel jacket – Mariner A – connected to a floating storage unit (FSU), Mariner B.
- The development of the Mariner field will contribute more than 250 million barrels of reserves with average plateau production of around 55,000 barrels per day.
- Production is expected to commence in 2018.