Hurricane Energy has began the “start-up” phase of the Lancaster field, located west of Shetland.
Hurricane said that hydrocarbons were introduced into the Aoka Mizu FPSO’s process system which represents the final stage of the FPSO’s commissioning and marks the start of the Lancaster Early Production System (EPS) start-up phase.
During this phase, each of the two production wells will be individually tested and shut-in for data gathering purposes.
Cleaning and testing (pigging) of the flowlines for flow assurance purposes will also take place during these shut-ins.
The start-up phase will conclude with simultaneous flow from both wells for 72 consecutive hours.
The Lancaster field is 100% owned by Hurricane.
It involves a two well tie-back to the Aoka Mizu FPSO and is expected to initially produce 17,000 barrels of oil per day (gross production of 20,000 bopd with assumed operating efficiency of 85% following ramp-up).
First oil is targeted for 1H 2019.