Serica Energy Restarts Production at Erskine Field

Serica Energy said that efforts to remove gas hydrates in pipeline between Erskine and the Lomond platform had been successful and it  has resumed production for the first time since January.

" Production from Erskine has restarted and flow rates are being optimised. Further updates will be provided once the re-commissioning process is complete," said a press note from the company.

Erskine, in which Serica holds an 18% interest, was suspended in mid-January due to a blocked export pipeline which carried condensate from Erskine to the neighbouring Lomond platform. A new 26 kilometres long section of the line was completed in September.

Serica Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company with exploration, development and production assets in the UK and exploration interests in the Atlantic margins offshore Ireland and Namibia.

Serica holds an 18% non-operated interest in the Erskine field in the UK Central North Sea and a 50% operated interest in the Columbus field scheduled to commence development in 2019.

In November 2017 Serica announced the BKR Transaction under which Serica UK will acquire interests in the Bruce, Keith and Rhum fields and associated infrastructure in the UK North Sea from BP. Under the terms of the BKR Transaction Serica UK will acquire a 36% interest in Bruce, a 34.83% interest in Keith and a 50% interest in Rhum. The deal has an effective date of 1 January 2018.

In August 2018, Serica announced the acquisition of further interests in the Bruce and Keith fields and associated infrastructure in the UK North Sea from Total E&P UK Limited (BK Acquisition). Under the SPA, Serica UK will acquire a 42.25% interest in the Bruce field and a 25% interest in the Keith field and associated infrastructure. The BK Acquisition also has an effective date of 1 January 2018 and completion will be subject to completion of the BKR Transaction.

Together, the BKR Transaction and the BK Transaction will result in Serica UK holding a 50% interest in the Rhum field, a 78.25% interest in the Bruce field and a 59.83% interest in the Keith field and be operator of all three fields.