Seagull oil and gas field : BP and Neptune Energy launch production to enhance UK energy infrastructure

BP has successfully initiated production at the Seagull oil and gas field, which is expected to contribute significantly to the UK’s energy resources. Located in the North Sea, this development marks a pivotal advancement in the industry, supporting local supply chains and sustaining employment opportunities. The Seagull project is anticipated to yield around 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day at its peak.

Supporting UK’s Energy Sector and Employment through Seagull Development

The project’s influence extends beyond production; it underpins the continuous operation of an offshore facility that has been a fixture for 25 years. Managed by Neptune Energy as a subsea tieback to the bp-operated Eastern Trough Area Project (ETAP) central processing facility, Seagull represents the first connection to the ETAP hub in two decades.

Doris Reiter, senior vice president, bp North Sea, commented on the milestone: “The start-up of Seagull is a fantastic milestone that demonstrates how bp is investing in today’s energy system and, at the same time, investing in the energy transition.” Reiter underlined the importance of efficient project development using existing infrastructure, a strategy that Seagull exemplifies.

BP and Neptune Energy begin production at the Seagull oil and gas field. Photo courtesy of BP.

Advancing Energy Production and Infrastructure

Throughout its development phase, the Seagull oil and gas field has fostered 800 jobs, signifying its substantial role in bolstering the energy sector’s workforce. Additionally, the field sustains continued production through the ETAP CPF, maintaining 350 full-time positions.

Alan Muirhead, UK Country Director, Neptune Energy, highlighted the innovative collaboration that made Seagull’s progress possible. “Seagull is an excellent example of what can be achieved through close collaboration,” Muirhead said, acknowledging the innovative efforts to maximize domestic energy recovery while extending the life of existing infrastructure.

Tomomi Yamada, Managing Executive Officer at JAPEX, also shared enthusiasm for the project’s commencement: “We believe this commencement in production will benefit our business expansion strategy in the North Sea.”

The operational success of the Seagull oil and gas field is not a standalone achievement; it comes as part of a broader initiative, with the ETAP hub having received a $1 billion investment in 2015 to secure its future well into the 2030s. The next step in this journey includes Murlach, another future tieback to the ETAP CPF, slated for production in 2025.

The combined efforts of the stakeholder companies, including Neptune Energy’s 35% interest in the Seagull oil and gas field during its development phase, and bp’s 50% stake as the operator of the production phase, have been integral to this endeavor. JAPEX, with a 15% interest, looks forward to the opportunities this brings to the UK Continental Shelf.

This development reinforces the UK’s commitment to maintaining robust energy supplies and supporting the energy transition, setting a precedent for future offshore projects in the region.