Lancelot

Location

The Lancelot field is situated in the Southern Basin of the UKCS, specifically in licence block 48/17b. It is approximately 60 km north of the Bacton Gas Terminal (BGT), 56 km east of the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal (TGT) on the Lincolnshire coast, and 12 km northwest of the Thoresby Field.

Discovery and Development

The Lancelot field was discovered in March 1988 through the exploration well 48/17b-5. The platform was installed in 1993, and first gas production began the same year.

Operations

The Lancelot field operates as part of a larger complex, often referred to as the Lancelot Complex. The field produces gas, which is processed and exported through a network of pipelines. Here are some key operational details:

• Gas Production and Export: Gas from the Lancelot field is combined with gas from other nearby fields, such as the Guinevere field, before being exported to the Bacton Gas Terminal (BGT) on the Norfolk coast via the PL 876 pipeline system.
• Pipeline System: The gas is transported through an 8” export pipeline (PL874) from the Guinevere field to the Lancelot platform, where it is commingled with Lancelot's production. The combined gas is then exported via the PL 876 pipeline system.

Infrastructure

• Platform: The Lancelot platform is part of a larger infrastructure that includes other nearby platforms. The platform itself is connected to other fields and facilities through a network of pipelines.
• Decommissioning: While the Lancelot field itself is still operational, nearby fields like Guinevere have undergone decommissioning. For example, the Guinevere pipelines were decommissioned, ensuring no impact on the Lancelot or adjacent facilities.

Environmental Considerations

• The pipelines and facilities associated with the Lancelot field are not situated within environmentally sensitive areas. The nearest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Southern North Sea SAC, is approximately 17 km northeast of the Guinevere 500m safety zone, which is relevant for nearby decommissioning activities.

Management and Ownership

The Lancelot field is managed by Perenco Gas (UK) Limited, which is part of the Perenco Group. Perenco is an independent Anglo-French oil and gas company known for its extensive operations in various regions around the world.

Future Prospects

While the Lancelot field is an established operation, the broader Southern North Sea area continues to see development and exploration activities. Nearby projects and fields are being developed to prolong production and identify new prospectivity in the region.

In summary, the Lancelot oil and gas field is a significant part of the UK's offshore energy production, managed by Perenco and integrated into a larger network of fields and pipelines in the Southern North Sea.