Duart

Location and Geology

• The Duart field is situated in Block 14/20 of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), approximately 134 kilometers east of the nearest Scottish coastline. It is located in a water depth of about 135 meters.
• The field is part of the Tartan Development Area, which lies in the south-eastern area of the Fladen Ground in the central North Sea. This area is covered by the Scottish National Marine Plan.

Discovery and Operation

• The Duart field was discovered in October 1987 by the exploration well 14/20b-18.
• The field is operated by Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited. Historically, development plans were also considered by Talisman, but Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited is the current operator.

Field Characteristics

• The Duart field consists of a single well, which is tied back to the Tartan Alpha (A) platform located about 8 kilometers east of the field.
• The field is part of a larger development area that includes other fields such as Tartan, Highlander, Petronella, and Galley. The processed oil from the Tartan A platform is exported to the Claymore platform, and there is also a gas export/import pipeline tied into the Frigg Gas Pipeline System.

Infrastructure

• The field does not have any surface installations (topsides or jackets). The infrastructure includes subsea installations such as a wellhead protection structure and a chemical injection valve support skid.
• There are no drill cuttings piles at the Duart drill center, although a section of the Duart lines passes through the Tartan A cuttings pile.

Decommissioning

• The decommissioning activities for the Duart field started in 2020 as part of the broader Tartan field decommissioning program. The decommissioning of the Duart field is expected to last until 2033, with a contingency to end in 2037.
• The decommissioning program includes the removal of pipelines, umbilicals, and structures associated with the field. This process involves public, stakeholder, and regulatory consultations and is submitted in compliance with national and international regulations and OPRED (Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning) guidelines.

Environmental Considerations

• The Duart field is located near several environmentally sensitive areas, including the Scanner Pockmark Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and the Central Fladen Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (NCMPA), which are approximately 25 kilometers and 35 kilometers away, respectively.
• The decommissioning program includes a Comparative Assessment (CA) for the pipelines and umbilicals and an Environmental Appraisal (EA) to ensure that the decommissioning activities are conducted with minimal environmental impact.

Ownership and Stakeholders

• Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited holds a 50% equity interest in the Duart field. Other stakeholders and partners are involved, as indicated by the Section 29 Notice Holders details in the decommissioning program.