Clair Clair Location: Oil producing field 75km west of Shetland Careers Projects Clair Extending over 220 sq km, Clair was discovered as fertile ground for oil production way back in 1977. However, Clair’s rocks have poor reservoir quality, making oil extraction extremely challenging. Advancements in oil drilling techniques saw BP sanction Clair Phase 1 in 2001 and bring the field on stream in 2005. Clair Phase 1 has the potential to produce more than 40,000 barrels per day (bpd). By March 2013, Clair had produced just under a third of the 300 million barrels of recoverable reserves believed to be held in the area targeted under Phase 1. Oil is exported via Sullom Voe Terminal. The next part of Clair’s story will focus on Clair Ridge and Greater Clair. Key facts about Clair With an estimated eight billion barrels of oil in place, it is the largest hydrocarbon resource in Europe. It is the first fixed platform in the west of Shetland area. Only through significant advances in technology and innovative engineering, such as horizontal drilling, was the Phase I development made possible. Clair has produced around 90m barrels since 2005. Phase 1 is targetting up to 300m barrels. Key facts about Clair Ridge The £4.5 billion second phase of the Clair development. Clair Ridge lies to the north of Phase 1. Oil volumes under Clair Ridge are believed to be another 2.5 billion barrels. The development is targeting 640 million barrels of recoverable resource. Designed for a 40-year field life. Involves the installation of two bridge-linked platforms. Oil production to start in 2016/17. Additional production capacity of 120,000 bpd. Oil production will connect to the existing oil pipeline at Sullom Voe Terminal. Key facts about Greater Clair BP and partners approved the £300 million Greater Clair appraisal programme in March 2013. One of the biggest appraisal drilling programmes BP has ever undertaken in the North Sea. The programme is expected to last two years and makes a third phase of Clair development a real possibility. Initial plans to drill five wells in the area – first well recently completed. Number of wells expected to rise to between eight and 12. The power of technology Horizontal drilling in the Clair field has enabled us to tap into previously inaccessible reservoirs. High-quality seismic imaging has allowed more efficient drilling. When it begins production in 2016/17, Clair Ridge will be the world’s first offshore facility to deploy low salinity water injection to improve oil recovery rates. Related content Projects Projects Find out more Profiles Our stories Find out more
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 17:18:13 +0000
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