Britain’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has issued updated guidelines to help support the next wave of UK offshore oil and gas field developments.
Currently 15 new projects are in progress across the UK continental shelf (UKCS), with estimated combined capex of roughly £15 billion ($20.26 billion), and forecast production of 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent (Bboe) across the life of the fields, Offshore reports.
In addition, OGA is reviewing around 50 further projects that could progress to future development.
The new “Requirements for the planning of and consent to UKCS field developments” guidance, developed with input from the industry, is designed to help operators achieve consistent delivery of successful high quality, high value projects, the OGA said.
There is strong emphasis on the benefits of early project planning and supply chain collaboration, including the use of supply chain action plans.
Gunther Newcombe, the OGA’s director of operations, said: “The new guidance puts a stronger focus on front-end planning, early engagement with the supply chain and making the right choice at the concept select stage.”
Jon Graham, Apache, region vp North Sea and co-chair of the MER UK Asset Stewardship Taskforce said: “This comprehensive updated new field development guidance reflects the sea change in asset stewardship that’s been happening in the UKCS since the OGA came into existence.
“The regulatory and operating environments have evolved considerably, and this guidance provides a clear roadmap for any operator to navigate their way through, and maximize economic recovery from new field developments.”
Chris Claydon, chief executive of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) added: “The OGA’s guidance complements the ECITB’s work to boost project management competence and drive collaboration.
“Our Project Collaboration toolkit is designed to help project leaders create the right environment to drive innovation and efficiency in project delivery, helping to reduce unit development costs in the UKCS.”
The new guidance incorporates principles established from current stewardship expectations and the “Lessons Learned from UKCS Oil and Gas Projects 2011-2016” report. Its content has been devised to help the industry navigate through the process of developing a new field, from discovery through production, according to Offshore reports.
Subscribe To Newsletter
