The Katy, formerly Harrison, field is located on Block 44/19b in the UK sector of the North Sea, situated about two miles (four kilometers) and 16 miles (26 kilometers) near the Kelvin and Murdoch platforms, respectively.

In 2007, ConocoPhillips encountered a 52 feet (16 meter) gas column in the targeted Lower Ketch formation of exploration well 44/19b-6. The well was drilled to a total depth of 14,072 feet (4,289 meters).

Field Development

The Katy field will be developed by a single well connecting to a new platform, which will then be tied-back to the Kelvin platform. The new platform will be a two-slot minimal facility normally unattended installation, which will house the wellhead and associated pipework, platform utilities (power generation and chemical injection).

The platform will be manufactured by SLP in Lowestoft and delivered to the operator in 2012. The jacket will comprise a three-leg tubular steel space frame weighing around 436 tonnes with the topsides weighing around 345 tonnes.

Produced gas-condensate will be exported via a new 9-mile-long (14-kilometer-long) gas pipeline, piggybacked by a methanol pipeline that will connect the Katy platform to the subsea pipeline manifold at the base of the Kelvin platform, situated in Blocks 44/18 and 44/23. Gas will go onward to the existing Kelvin export line to the Murdock complex in Block 44/22 and then exported via the existing 26-inch pipeline to the Theddlethorned gas terminal on the east Lincolnshire coast.

Platform installation is scheduled for June/July 2012, with drilling planned to start in July 2012. Installation of the Tee assembly, pigging manifold and pipelines will be carried out from May to August 2012.

First gas is expected in December 2012, with output forecast to continue until 2020. The maximum annual production rate in 2013 is expected to be 25.79 Bcf of gas.