ODE, part of the DORIS Group, has been awarded a contract to act as pipeline operator on behalf of Independent Oil and Gas (IOG) for the Thames Pipeline that will serve the Blythe Hub and Vulcan Satellites Hub Developments.
IOG announced in April last year the acquisition of the 24-inch Thames Pipeline from Perenco, Tullow Oil and Centrica Resources (now Spirit Energy) for a nominal consideration.
Later that year, IOG signed a letter of intent with ODE to perform several key contractor roles for its Blythe Hub and Vulcan Satellites Hub developments, starting with technical and operational support ahead of final investment decision.
At the time it was announced that ODE will be responsible for the operational management of all IOG’s assets including the Thames Pipeline and network of in-field pipelines, with IOG continuing to be 100% licence owner and operator for all assets in the project. The award of the contract for ODE to act as pipeline operator allows for key inspection and engineering work on the pipeline to go ahead to ensure the development’s export route.
ODE regional director, Paul Chilvers, said: “This award recognises ODE’s experience and expertise in operations support in the Southern North Sea and builds on our long history of supporting gas assets in the region.
“ODE taking on the role of pipeline operator is the first stage in the recommissioning of the Thames pipeline and allows for the inspection and intelligent pigging of the pipeline to go ahead and for any modifications to be made giving certainty to the development’s export route.”
Andrew Hockey, IOG’s chief executive, stated: “Recommissioning of the Thames pipeline, our 100% wholly owned strategic export route for our SNS gas assets, is reflective of our innovative approach allowing us to control the pace of development and we believe the first of its kind off the UK. ODE is a trusted partner in IOG’s development plans and confirmation of ODE as pipeline operator is a major step forward in delivering our gas hub strategy.”
It is also intended that ODE will be the operations and maintenance contractor upon first gas, hosting IOG’s onshore operational base at its facilities in Great Yarmouth, close to the Bacton terminal.