Erskine is the first High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) field in production on the UK continental shelf. Modest reserves of rich gas condensate demanded innovative development concepts to achieve an economic project for field operator Texaco and co-venturer BPAmoco. A normally unattended wellhead platform is linked to a third party processing host platform by a multiphase pipeline. Since first production in December 1997 the three reservoirs have behaved broadly in line with expectations while the design concepts, technologies and operational practices have been thoroughly tested and proved to be conspicuously successful. The experience gained through design, commissioning and operation on this landmark development is recounted.

Keywords:
shutdown, pipeline, platform, development plan, spe 56899, deposition, reservoir, erskine reservoir, choke, erskine field
Subjects:
Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers, Formation Evaluation & Management
Copyright 1999, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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