K17-FA
- Type: Rig
- field
- Latitude: 53.0630000
- Longitude: 3.5410000
Location and Geology
- The K17-FA conventional gas field is located in the Dutch North Sea, specifically in block K17. It is situated in shallow water with a depth of approximately 95 feet.
Ownership and Operation
- The field is owned by Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN), Exxon Mobil, and Shell. It is operated by Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM), a Dutch oil and gas company.
Production Details
- The K17-FA field has recovered 73.14% of its total recoverable reserves as of the latest data. Peak production was achieved in 2007. Based on economic assumptions, production is expected to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2049. The field currently accounts for about 1% of the Netherlands' daily gas output.
Field Characteristics
- The K17 field is a 185 billion cubic feet (bcf) gas accumulation. Gas from this field is exported through a new 15-km pipeline to the K14 FB platform and then further to the K14 FA platform via an additional 14-km pipeline.
Infrastructure and Technology
The field is developed using a minimal platform design, which includes smaller topsides and a shorter offshore installation program to reduce costs. The platform is equipped with:
- Wellheads, manual chokes, and 6-in. flowlines with metering.
- A 12-in. production manifold for up to four wells.
- Risers for export and incoming fluids.
- Individual wellhead hydraulic power units.
- Actuated riser emergency shutdown valves.
- Instrumentation control systems and navigational aids.
Notably, the platform is powered exclusively by renewable energy sources, including two 6kW wind turbines and 68 solar photovoltaic panels, which can be raised or lowered hydraulically to minimize wind load. This setup eliminates the need for diesel power generation and reduces CO2 emissions.
Development and Installation
- The development of the K17-FA field involved the use of standardized platform designs, similar to those used for the Cutter QC project. The platforms were designed to operate without intervention for two years. Specialist foundation and structural work were undertaken by companies such as LIC in Denmark and SIF in the Netherlands.
Environmental and Cost Considerations
- The use of renewable energy and the minimal platform design help in reducing environmental impact by avoiding the installation and burial of power cables on the seabed. This approach also helps in restraining costs by minimizing the need for large-scale infrastructure and regular maintenance interventions.
Future Outlook
- The field's production is expected to continue until 2049, based on current economic assumptions. The standardized platform design used for K17-FA is likely to be adopted for future Shell developments in the southern North Sea.
Flag | Name | Type | Date |
---|---|---|---|
KASTEELBORG | Other | 9/6/2024 | |
KASTEELBORG | Other | 8/19/2024 | |
KASTEELBORG | Other | 8/18/2024 | |
TX14 GRIETJE | Fishing | 7/27/2024 |