Companies aiming to get the best possible output from existing North Sea assets, while deferring major new offshore projects, can now boost their efforts with new guidelines published by OGUK today aimed at unlocking brownfield resource opportunities.
The guidelines aim to help companies understand good practice in how to identify, rank, approve and carry out opportunities to optimise production in areas including well and reservoir reviews, facilities reviews and reservoir surveillance along with methods to set targets, measure progress and assign budgets.
Commenting, OGUK’s Operations Director Katy Heidenreich said:
“Looking after UK assets is crucial to the long-term future of the basin, especially at a time when a significant number of North Sea projects are put on hold. These guidelines help companies develop, maintain and operate existing assets, finding the most efficient way to recover reserves from existing sites. They help asset owners promote a culture focused on optimising production, enabling them to consistently do the right things to identify and then exploit opportunities as well as promoting the collective will, behaviours and capabilities to achieve this.
“This is the latest initiative from the UK offshore industry to improve production efficiency. Alongside other programmes such as the competitive well delivery initiative, it will ensure we can continue to meet as much of the UK’s oil and gas needs from domestic resources while also putting our sector in the best position to support the transition to net zero.”
Brenda Wyllie, OGA NNS Area Manager and MER Wells Task Force co-chair, said:
“When we look at the data from the OGA’s UKCS stewardship survey, it’s clear that there’s considerable additional value held in brownfield resources. Oil and gas will remain an important part of our energy mix for the foreseeable future as we transition to net zero, so increasing recovery and maturing these resources should remain a priority, despite the associated challenges.
“The new guidelines offer industry helpful suggestions for unlocking additional potential in brownfield resources, by embracing collaboration, integration and supply chain engagement. The checklists and toolbox in the guidelines are proven practices introduced by senior industry professionals; practices which I believe can increase the recovery of further barrels, as long as industry are willing and are dedicated to applying them.”
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