Northern Producer on Location in Don

Petrofac, the international oil & gas facilities service provider, announces that its Energy Developments division, as operator and on behalf of itself and its co-venturers, completed the safe mooring operation for the Northern Producer on location on the Don Area development in the North Sea.

This project milestone follows the successful completion of a major refurbishment programme for the semi-submersible production platform Northern Producer in the McNulty Offshore facility in Newcastle upon Tyne. The refurbishment works were managed by Petrofac Energy Developments. In addition to the provision of field specific equipment, the Northern Producer underwent a major campaign of fatigue life enhancement works and equipment refurbishment.

Bill Dunnett, executive vice president, project development for Petrofac Energy Developments Ltd., said: “We are pleased to announce that the Northern Producer refit has been safely completed in line with our target schedule. McNulty Offshore and its major contractors have demonstrated a high quality of work and professionalism during the refurbishment works.

The safe installation of the unit in its permanent location on the Don Fields marks the start of the final phase of infrastructure tie-ins, commissioning and drilling operations ahead of Production”.

Amjad Bseisu, Chief Executive, Petrofac Energy Developments Ltd. commented: “A significant milestone has also been reached in the drilling programme. The Transocean John Shaw has now completed drilling and the final liner has been set on the first West Don production well which achieved over 2,000ft of good quality sandstone reservoir with logged oil as per prognosis. The well is planned to be completed prior to the John Shaw moving to Don Southwest to start drilling and allow tie-in operations at West Don to commence. The project remains on target for first oil production during the first half of 2009.”