Hartshead Resources NL (ASX:HHR)’s phase one development of the Anning and Somerville gas fields proceeds apace, with a number of key contracts awarded and workstreams mapped out.
The contracts for platforms and pipeline front-end engineering design (FEED) will support the field development plan (FDP) preparation.
Leading energy service provider
Petrofac Facilities Management Limited, a leading international service provider to the energy industry, has been awarded two contracts relating to the platforms FEED contract for the Anning and Somerville unmanned minimum facilities jackets and topsides.
Petrofac will also handle the sub-sea FEED contract for the interconnecting subsea pipelines connecting to the Shell Exploration and Production UK Limited Corvette export system with onward gas transport to the Leman-A complex, associated risers and tie-in to the Anning platform.
The company sees the award of the FEED contracts as a significant milestone as the phase one development progresses towards a final investment decision (FID), which is expected to occur later in 2023.
This is not the first time Petrofac and Hartshead have worked together. The contractor was previously engaged to assist Hartshead with the phase one greenfield ‘concept select’, which identified the preferred development concept of two wireline capable, normally unmanned, platforms connected via a subsea pipeline to the Shell infrastructure.
The company, therefore, has detailed knowledge of Hartshead’s development program.
Subsea workstreams
The company has mapped out subsea workstreams to detail the design of a 40-kilometre pipeline from the Somerville platform to Shell Corvette platform and tie-in for the Anning platform.
Hartshead has also appointed UK-based consultancy TelosNRG, which provides technical, QHSE and management advisory services across the energy and renewables sectors, to advise on the preparation of the phase one development field development plan (FDP), which is expected to be submitted to the NSTA during the first quarter of 2023.
Contracts for geotechnical and geophysical surveys to cover the Anning and Somerville field developments are being evaluated, with a view to securing vessels for deployment in the first half of the new year.
The main objectives of the survey are to provide the company with an interpretation of the seabed geomechanical and soil conditions at the Anning and Somerville field locations and along the pipeline route.
Results of the geotechnical and geophysical surveys will form a critical component of the environmental statement – alongside this, the company needs to understand the seabed conditions at the field locations and along the pipeline route to complete the subsea and platform FEED design assumptions.
UK's 33rd Offshore Licensing Round
Finally, Hartshead has signalled its intention to participate in the UK 33rd Offshore Licensing Round recently announced by the NSTA. The results of the licensing round and awards are expected to be announced later in 2023.
“Entering into FEED for our Phase I development is another important step toward first gas and a key milestone on the field development planning process,” CEO Chris Lewis said.
“I am pleased that we are, again, working with Petrofac on the project following their valuable contribution during Concept Select.
“Aiming to secure vessels for early next year and engaging TelosNRG to support our FDP submission are also critical elements in support of our development schedule.
“I am also looking forward to participating in the 33rd round as we can potentially target new licences and additional resources to add to our existing portfolio.”