Staffa
Fairfield equity = 100%
Asset Overview
The Staffa field is located in Block 3/8d to the east of the Ninian Field. It was awarded to Fairfield in the 25th licensing round in November 2008 with a one well drilling commitment. Water depth over the block is approximately 450 ft.
Background & Exploration History
The Staffa field was discovered by BP in 1985 with the 3/8b-10 well. Further appraisal work (wells 3/8b-11 and 3/8b-13) was carried out before Lasmo took over operatorship, drilled a further well (3/8b-14, 14z) and started production through the 3/8b-10 and 3/8b-14z wells in the early 1990s. Initial productivity was better than anticipated, but a combination of wax deposition and hydrate generation led to blockage of the uninsulated export pipeline between Staffa and its host platform, Ninian South. Remedial pipeline replacement work was carried out by Lasmo but the problem re-occurred, leading to the premature abandonment of the field after production of only 4.26 MMbbl (approximately 13 per cent. of STOIIP). All infrastructure and wells from the original development were then abandoned or removed. The field was relicensed to CNR but relinquished without further activity on 31 December 2006.
The subsurface work programme leading to Fairfield’s redevelopment scheme is now complete resulting in a new static model developed through surface and fault-mapping based upon reprocessed seismic data. A key factor for the static model and the redevelopment is the understanding of how reservoir quality varies with depth. A new petrophysical study and a thorough review of the extensive core samples from the original development has provided considerable additional insight in to the variation of poroperm with depth. Dynamic reservoir modelling has been completed and history-matched using production data from the original development.
Given that the original development of the field was curtailed by pipeline blockages, Fairfield’s re-development assessment has also focused on understanding the fundamental root causes of the wax and hydrate formation. These studies have been aided by the retrieval of stored crude samples from the original proprietary testing in specialist laboratories. This detailed technical work confirmed that pipeline blockages may be prevented by a combination of insulating the pipeline and chemical inhibition.
The Group is currently drafting a FDP for submission to DECC in late 2010.
Decommissioning
Following the maximum recovery from any of its fields, Fairfield consults rigorously with stakeholders before the inevitable decommissioning.
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Dunlin
Fairfield acquired 70% of Dunlin in 2008 and it is now operated in conjunction with duty holder Amec.
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Clipper South
Fairfield acquired a 100% interest in the Clipper South Discovery Area in 2008, assigning 50% to RWE DEA UK SNS Ltd in July 2009.
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Staffa
The Staffa Oilfield is located in the NNS. Fairfield was awarded 100% interest in block 3/8d in the 25th Licensing Round in 2009.
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