Crawford Crawford
PRODUCTION FACILITY
Facility Name Crawford Subsea Tieback Duty Oil
Operator Fairfield Energy Current Status Prospect since 2008
Host Type Subsea Tieback Water Depth 117 m / 386 ft
Dev.Cost n/a Region UK
 
Location 9/28a, P.209



Facility Name East Brae Platform Duty Oil/Gas
Operator Marathon Current Status Producing since 1993
Host Type Fixed Platform Water Depth 113 m / 373 ft
Dev.Cost n/a Region UK
 
Location
 
OIL & GAS FIELD
Field Name Crawford Discovery Date Dec 2007
Block 9/28a - P.209 Reserve Type Oil
Current
Status
Discovery (Appraised) Production Start Jan 1989
Water Depth 117 m / 386 ft
 
 
Description
 
The Crawford oil field is located on Block 9/28a in Production License 209 in the UK sector of the North Sea in waters measuring 384 feet (117 meters). EnQuest serves as the operator of the license, holding a 51% interest; Valiant Petroleum holds 29%; and Fairfield holds the remaining 20% interest.

Crawford was discovered by Hamilton Brothers in the mid-70s and was then fully appraised by three wells. The field was developed by five wells with production commencing in 1989 by the Transworld 58 semisub.

In late 1990, Crawford was abandoned and all facilities were removed. The oil production rate at the time was 5,000 bopd with no water from the two primary reservoirs – Jurassic and Triassic – with a total production rate of only 3.9 MMbbl.

When Fairfield acquired the license in 2007, the operator performed new 3D seismic data to establish a clear picture of the reservoir structure and character. The Rowan Gorilla VII drilled an appraisal well, 9/28a-18, confirming the extension of the Triassic reservoir into the northern part of the field.

It is estimated the field contains about 200 million barrels of good quality oil in several reservoirs, principally in the Triassic at around 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) deep. Fairfield is currently reviewing field development options, but is strongly considering tying the field back to the East Brae platform. Once a plan is sanctioned, further development drilling will be performed with first production targeted for late 2011.

Currently, field development is on hold. Bids for a drilling rig and subsea equipment are under review but contracts will not be awarded at this time.

 
Activities
 
BP Flips Switch at Devenick
Date: Oct. 2012
Type: Production Start
Production systems are up and running at BP's Devenick gas project in the central North Sea. The HPHT project is in the process of ramping up to full production - estimated to peak in 2013 at 100 million cubic feet per day. When producing at the maximum rate, Devenick will add an extra 3% to the UK's total gas production. BP and partner RWE Dea have invested $1 million in the project which has largely been serviced by UK based companies. Gas is routed from a subsea manifold through an insulated pipeline to the Marathon-operated East Brae platform. It is estimated that the field holds 430 billion cubic feet and will maintain production until 2025.
Valiant Considering Alternative Development Options for Crawford
Date: Sep. 2012
Type: Development Activity
Valiant Petroleum, along with its joint venture partners, is actively pursuing other development solutions for the Crawford discovery in the UK North Sea; the partners concluded the original development plan created by Fairfield is not the best way to proceed. A broad range of development options are under consideration for both surface and subsurface. The timeframe for a fully supported field development plan may extend into 2013.
EnQuest Mulls Crawford Development Options
Date: Apr. 2012
Type: Status Update
EnQuest reported that it is evaluating development options for the Crawford field and expects to make a decision during 2012.
Stratic Energy Says Crawford Well Exceeds Expectations
Date: Dec. 2007
Type: New Discovery
Stratic Energy announced that the 9/28a-18 appraisal well on the Crawford field successfully proved an extension of the Triassic reservoir to the north of the field encountering over 1,200' of oil bearing sandstone with the benefit of a 70 degree well bore deviation. The well also discovered 62' oil column containing 40' of pay in a separate Tertiary target known as Delta A. The partners will now evaluate the results and consider development options. Options include an extended production test of the Triassic reservoir and further exploratory drilling on other Tertiary prospects near the Delta A discovery.
Rowan Gorilla VII Spuds Appraisal Well 9/28a-18
Date: Oct. 2007
Type: Appraisal Operations
Stratic Energy Corporation announced that the Rowan Gorilla VII has spud appraisal well 9/28a-18 on the Crawford field in the UK North Sea. The well is designed to primarily appraisa the potential of the Triassic reservoir in the previously untested northern part of the Crawford field and further appraise Tertiary potential. Should tests prove positive development options will be considered. The Crawford field was originally developed by Hamilton Brothers in the 1980s and was abandoned in 1990, as its production levels were lower than anticipated. The Crawford co-ventures are, Fairfield (operator, 52%), Valiant Petroleum (29%) and Stratic Energy (19%).
 
Status History
 
Crawford Subsea Tieback

Prospect - 2008 to -
In 2008, Fairfield identified a subsea tieback to East Brae as the optimum development concept for Crawford and are currently progressing with reservoir and engineering studies to refine their understanding of this export route. Fairfield then expects to carry out further drilling on Crawford with first production from a redevelopment targeted for late 2010.
East Brae Platform

Producing - Dec 1993 to -
Crawford

Discovery (Appraised) - Dec 2007 to -
Exploratory Drilling - Oct 2007 to Dec 2007
Rowan Gorilla VII spuds 9/28a-18
Bright Spot - 1997 to Oct 2007
3D Seismic survey was shot over blocks 9/27 and 9/28a & reprocessed in 2004. Studies identified substantial volumes in the Triassic Cormorant formation.
Producing - 1989 to 1990
The field was developed by five wells with production commencing in 1989 by the Transworld 58 semisub. In late 1990, Crawford was abandoned and all facilities were removed.
Appraisal Drilling - 1972 to 1978
Discovery (Drilled) - 1970 to 1972
Crawford was discovered by Hamilton Brothers in the mid-70s and was then fully appraised by three wells.
 
Project Image
North Sea Fields
 
Shetland, North Sea