Cygnus is expected to be the “largest producing gas field in the UK North Sea in 2017”, accounting for 5 per cent of the country’s total output when it reaches peak production.
The field is located 150 kilometres off the coast of Lincolnshire and is being operated by Engie, which owns a 38.75 per cent stake in the project. Centrica has a 48.75 per cent share and Bayerngas 12.5 per cent.
The Cygnus complex features four platforms, two of which will be used for the drilling itself. The first gas came via the Cygnus Alpha platform and work is underway extend the field further by drilling fresh wells at the Cygnus Bravo platform. Ten wells have been drilled so far although the platforms can accommodate up to 20.
Work on the project began in 2012. The field is estimated to have ‘proved and probable’ reserves of 636 billion cubic feet of gas and is expected to have a 20-year life. The gas produced is being processed at the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk before being injected into the National Transmission System.
“First gas from Cygnus represents a significant boost to the UK’s long term energy security, with an estimated production life exceeding 20 years,” said Engie E&P UK managing director Ruud Zoon.
Managing director of Centrica’s exploration and production division, Chris Cox, 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.”