The Cygnus gas field, set to be the largest in the UK North Sea, has started production.
The first gas has flowed from the site, 150 kilometres off the Lincolnshire coast, into the National Transmission System.
The Cygnus Alpha platform is the first to be in production, and work is under way to extend the field to fresh wells in 2017 being drilled at the Cygnus Bravo platform.
The BiFab yards at Methil and Burntisland in Fife were involved in the construction of the Cygnus Alpha and Bravo platforms, each weighing 4,400 tonnes,with work also carried out at Hartlepool.
Four jackets were also constructed, with one stowed at Dundee before taken to the site.
More than 80% of the Cygnus supply chain was based in the UK, with the construction phase contributing £1.3billion to the UK economy and creating 5,000 jobs.
At peak, the Cygnus field will contribute 5% of the UK’s total gas production, enough to heat the equivalent of 1.5 million homes.
Cygnus is operated by ENGIE E&P UK Limited and in which Centrica plc owns a 48.75% interest.
Chris Cox, managing director of Centrica’s Exploration & Production business, said: “The Cygnus field is hugely important to the country’s energy supply, so we are proud that gas is now flowing from the field and into homes and businesses across the UK.
“This milestone was only possible thanks to the hard work and collaboration of the teams across Centrica, ENGIE E&P, Bayerngas and our supply chain partners.”
Gas from Cygnus will be processed at the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk, providing a secure, domestic source of gas for the UK for years to come.
The field is estimated to have proved and probable reserves of 636 billion cubic feet of gas.
Andy Samuel, chief executive of the Oil & Gas Authority, said: “Centrica, ENGIE E&P and Bayerngas have demonstrated an impressive collaborative effort in achieving first production from Cygnus.
“It represents a significant milestone for the Southern North Sea, delivering new volumes through existing infrastructure, utilising the UK’s skilled supply chain and helping create the right conditions for further developments.
“This is set to continue with the next phase of development from Cygnus Bravo which will bring additional capacity on stream in the future to help maximise economic recovery for the UK.”
Iain Wright, MP for Hartlepool and chairman of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, said: “Hartlepool’s fabrication yards, employing more than 700 people, helped deliver the Cygnus project, which will now provide enough gas to heat the equivalent of 1.5million British homes.
“This achievement underlines just how important North East England is as an energy hub and I welcome the £1.3billion that Centrica and their partners have invested in this project, both in Hartlepool and right across the UK.”
