--> Abstract: ETAP - an Integrated Development of Seven Central North Sea Fields, by J. Pooler and M. Amory; #90933 (1998).

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Abstract: ETAP - an Integrated Development of Seven Central North Sea Fields

Pooler, John - BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd.; Amory, Marc - Shell UK E&P

The Eastern Trough Area Project (ETAP) integrates the development of seven Central North Sea fields, which individually were considered marginal on a stand-alone basis. The fields lie in the North Sea Eastern Trough, some 250 kms east of Aberdeen in water depths of 85-90m. During the development phase BP will operate 4 fields (Marnock, Machar, Mungo and Monan) and Shell will operate 3 fields (Heron, Egret and Skua). On commencement of production operations in 1998 BP will act as operator of the overall ETAP facilities.

The reservoirs are contained in three different geological settings: turbidite sandstones of Paleocene Age, pelagic and turbidite chalks of late Cretaceous to early Paleocene age, and fluviatile sandstones of Triassic age. The reservoirs occur in two distinct types of structural selling: Triassic reservoirs are found in fault bounded structures. Paleocene sandstones and chalk reservoirs are found in high relief structures occurring above and around the flanks of salt diapirs. Vertical closures exceed 1000m with reservoir beds dipping at up to 50 degrees.

The hydrocarbons in ETAP reservoirs show a wide variation in reservoir pressure and temperature from normally pressured reservoirs up to HP/HT conditions (12,000 psi and 340° F). The Triassic reservoirs are typically over-pressured by some 4000 - 7000 psi whereas the Paleocene and chalk reservoirs are essentially normally pressured. The wide range in reservoir pressures and temperatures combined with compositional differences give rise to a wide variety of fluid types - gas condensate, saturated oils with free gas caps and under-saturated or volatile oils.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90933©1998 ABGP/AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil