The British oil and gas conglomerate, BP plc has reportedly been granted approval to develop the Alligin field in the North Sea. Sources suggest that the Alligin oilfield, located 140 km (87 miles) west of Shetland, after development could effectively yield 12,000 barrels crude oil equivalent a day whist on full capacity.
Reportedly, BP received the approval from United Kingdoms’ Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) as to further advance with the oilfield’s development, which is expected to come on stream by 2020.
Sources close to the matter suggest that the Alligin oilfield as a part of the new development will encompass two wells which will be tied back into the existing Schiehallion and Loyal subsea infrastructure, eventually using the processing and export facilities of the Glen Lyon’s FPSO (floating, production storage, offload) vessel.
As per Ariel Flores, BP North Sea’s Regional President, the company had already announced its intention to develop the Alligin oilfield close to six months earlier and has successfully received regulatory approval at present.
Renowned for maintaining its focus on safety, BP will modernize and transform its operations in the North Sea to fully realize the potential of its portfolio. Moreover, Alligin would work in line with their advantaged oil story, rescuing stranded reserves and tying them back into existing infrastructure, Flores added.
Brenda Wyllie, Manager of OGA’s Northern North Sea and West of Shetland, is claimed to have quoted that the authority was pleased to offer approval for the development of the Alligin oilfield. Wyllie further stated that the project is expected to maximize economic recovery by utilizing Glen Lyon FPSO capacity, setting a good example of the competitive advantage available to operators from the extensive infrastructure installed in the UKCS.
As per reliable sources, the Alligin oilfield would be operated by BP along with Shell as a joint venture partner. The grant would also mark as BP’s second recent North Sea development approval.