ECONOMIC REPORT 2013
38
Figure 28: Cygnus Project – Locations of Principal Contractors
Factors for Success
•
Innovative geological thinking combined with
leading edge geophysics
•
A long-term perspective on E&A activity
•
Subsurface knowledge sharing between GDF
SUEZ E&P affiliates in the UK, the Netherlands
and Germany
•
Application of high-tech 3D seismic technology to
capture previously unseen images
•
Application of drilling techniques for fine grained
reservoirs
•
Revitalisation of existing transport infrastructure
Key Facts
•
Cygnus is located in the southern North Sea,
150 kilometres off the coast of Lincolnshire
•
£1.4 billion will be invested by the partners, more
than 80 per cent of which will be spent in the UK,
creating around 4,000 jobs
•
First gas is due in fourth quarter of 2015
•
Gas will be landed at the terminal at Bacton on the
coast in north-east Norfolk
•
It has reserves (with at least a 50 per cent
probability of recovery) of approximately 18 billion
standard cubic metres of natural gas
•
It is the UK’s sixth largest gas field by remaining
reserves
•
At plateau production in 2016, it will be the second
largest source of gas on the UKCS
•
The partnership is led by operator GDF SUEZ E&P UK
(38.75 per cent), with Centrica (48.75 per cent) and
Bayerngas UK (12.5 per cent)
Major contracts awarded in the UK
Companies that are already benefiting from contracts
awarded for the Cygnus project include:
•
Heerema Fabrication Group’s Hartlepool yard
–
for the fabrication and commissioning of the Alpha
WHP and PU platform topsides
•
Burntisland Fabrication (BiFab)
– for the
engineering, procurement and construction of the
Cygnus jackets and piles, as well as construction
of the QU platform. This work will be undertaken
at their facilities in Methil and Burntisland in Fife
on the Scottish mainland and Arnish on the Isle of
Lewis in the Outer Hebrides
•
AMEC Group in London
– for the detailed
engineering design contract
•
Saipem in London
– for the diving works and
the installation of the main 55 kilometre export
pipeline from the platform to the Esmond pipeline
and the seven kilometre infield line from the Bravo
WHP to the Alpha Complex.
•
Ensco in London
– for the Ensco 80 rig to drill the
ten horizontal wells.
•
Isleburn in Invergordon
– for the fabrication of the
structures for the subsea ‘Y’ manifold and subsea
isolation valves (SSIVs)
•
Genesis in Aberdeen
– which completed the subsea
detailed design and remains involved in follow-up
engineering
