Leman (Shell)

Location

The Leman (Shell) Oil and Gas Field is located offshore in the southern North Sea, approximately 47-51 kilometers northeast of the Bacton gas reception terminal on the Norfolk coast. The exact coordinates are 53.072, 2.2158 (WGS 84).

Project Details

Field Status and Operator

The Leman (Shell) Oil and Gas Field is an operating field, with Shell plc as the operator and owner.

Discovery and Production

The field was discovered in late 1965, and production began in 1968. It is part of the larger Leman complex, which also includes the Leman (Perenco) Oil and Gas Field.

Platforms and Infrastructure

The field is supported by two Normally Unattended Installations (NUIs), Leman F and Leman G, which were installed in 1987. Leman G has 12 production wells and is located in 20 meters of water depth, while Leman F has 14 production wells and is in 35 meters of water depth. Both platforms are 6-legged steel jacket structures. Gas produced from these platforms is exported to the Leman A complex via subsea pipelines before being sent to the Bacton gas reception terminal.

Production and Reserves

• Gas Production: As of 2019, the field produced 601.98 million cubic meters of gas per year. There is no significant oil production from this field.
• Reserves: The field has in-place gas reserves of approximately 13,535.32 million cubic meters as of 2005.
• Recovery Rate: The field has recovered about 87.56% of its total recoverable reserves, with peak production achieved in 1991.

Decommissioning

Both Leman F and G platforms are nearing the end of their operational life and are expected to cease production in the mid-2020s. Shell UK has received regulatory approval to decommission these platforms and associated subsea infrastructure. The decommissioning plan includes the removal of the platform topsides, jackets, production pipelines, power cables, and associated stabilization features. The preferred option is to decommission the pipelines and cables in situ, with cut pipeline ends remediated with rock and the removal of stabilization materials where technically feasible.

Regulatory Context

The decommissioning process is governed by the Petroleum Act 1998, as amended by the Energy Act 2008. The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) is responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations.

Environmental Considerations

An Environmental Appraisal has been conducted to assess the environmental and societal impacts of the decommissioning. The appraisal considers various decommissioning options against criteria such as safety, environment, technical feasibility, societal impact, and economic factors.