Spirit Energy invests £13m to extend life of York gas field by three years

Spirit Energy, a prominent European exploration and production (E&P) company, has announced a significant extension to the operational life of its wholly owned York gas field, located in the Southern North Sea, approximately 34 kilometers off the North East Yorkshire coast. With an additional investment of £13 million, the York field’s lifespan has been extended by three years, promising continued gas production until 2023/24.

The recent campaign, which led to the first gas on April 18, marks a major milestone in the field’s history, which began production in 2013 and was initially expected to cease operations by 2020. However, the May 2020 approval of the York Field Extension Project signifies a renewed commitment to maximizing the economic recovery from the field. Estimates suggest that the extension will enable the extraction of an additional 18 billion cubic feet of gas, adding to the 45 billion cubic feet produced over the past eight years.

Girish Kabra, Spirit Energy’s Director for North Sea operated assets, commented on the project’s success, stating, “First gas from the project is a result of hard work and determination of the joint team of Spirit Energy, Perenco, Centrica Storage Limited, and our supply chain partners. It is good to see York producing safely again after a short pause for the life extension project.” He also highlighted the team’s resilience amid the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, noting, “It’s a great achievement and we’ve done it despite the challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The extension activities, carried out through 2020-21, encompassed a range of onshore and offshore efforts. These included platform and control system modifications, onshore tie-ins, and a crucial well intervention on the Y1 well. Additionally, a strategic shift in infrastructure utilization saw York gas being redirected from the Easington Gas Terminal to the Dimlington Gas Terminal, where it now benefits from onshore gas compression facilities. This move, according to Mr. Kabra, “brings a new chapter to the York field, giving a minimum of three years extension to its producing life.”

The continuation of work on the York field, including further well interventions scheduled for later in the year, underscores Spirit Energy’s commitment to optimizing production and enhancing the field’s output. The York field, spanning blocks 47/2a, 47/3a, 47/3d, and 47/3e in a water depth of 42 meters, operates as a Not Permanently Attended Installation (NPAI). The platform, a four-legged, jacket-type fixed installation, is currently running three platform wells.

This extension not only secures continued gas supply but also contributes significantly to local energy stability and supports the broader energy market during a pivotal time for the industry. As companies like Spirit Energy navigate the complexities of energy production and sustainability, initiatives like the York Field Extension Project play a critical role in shaping the future of energy in Europe.