Glenelg

Location and Geology

The Glenelg field is situated in the Central Graben area of the UK North Sea, within blocks 22/30c and 29/4d. The reservoir is composed of Upper Jurassic Fulmar sandstone, located at depths below 5,400 meters.

Discovery and Development

The Glenelg South field was discovered in 1983 during exploratory drilling using the Dyvi Delta semisubmersible rig. An appraisal well was drilled in 2002 using the Stena Don semisubmersible. The Glenelg North field was discovered in 1984 with the Dyvi Delta semisubmersible, and an appraisal well was drilled in 1996 using the Byford Dolphin semisubmersible.

Drilling and Operations

Total E&P (UK) PLC has been actively involved in the development of the Glenelg field. In the early 2000s, Total used the Transocean Nordic jack-up rig to drill the Glenelg 29/4d-4 discovery well. Later, the Rowan Gorilla V jack-up rig was employed to drill a highly deviated, high-temperature (200°C), high-pressure (1,100 bar) well at the Glenelg gas field, with a planned total depth of 5,500 meters.

Production and Interruptions

Production from the Glenelg field, along with the Elgin and Franklin fields, was interrupted in 2012 due to a gas leak incident on the Elgin field. Production resumed in March 2013 after safety measures were implemented. The fields, including Glenelg, had a combined production potential of approximately 70,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed), with Total's share being around 30,000 boed.

Partners and Ownership

The Glenelg field is operated by Total E&P (UK) PLC, with partners including BG Group PLC, Eni SPA’s UK unit, Ruhrgas AG, and Gaz de France.

Field Characteristics

The Glenelg field is characterized as a tilted fault block structure. It is part of the world's largest high-pressure–high-temperature (HPHT) development, requiring advanced innovations in geoscience and drilling technologies.

Production History and Reserves

By the end of 2012, the Elgin/Franklin area, which includes the Glenelg field, had produced over 700 million barrels of oil equivalent (Mboe). The remaining reserves in the area were in excess of 500 Mboe, unaffected by the 2012 incident.

Future Development

To recover the pre-incident production levels, Total planned to drill new infill wells on the Elgin and Franklin fields. Additionally, the West Franklin Phase II development project was ongoing, with production start-up scheduled for 2014.

The Glenelg field, as part of the broader Elgin/Franklin area, continues to be an important asset for Total and other stakeholders, contributing significantly to the UK's oil and gas production.