Project Profile
Value: US$500 million
Location: Block 9/3b is within the northern North Sea, UK
Water Depth: 112 m
Reserves: 1P, 2P and 3P heavy oil reserves of 234 MMstb, 265 MMstb and 296 MMstb, respectively,
Start-up Year: 2011
The field may be developed via two production and drilling platforms and a floating storage unit. One platform will be placed in the core area, while the other one will be installed in the southern part of the field. The FSU will be a converted 150,000 dry weight tonnage tanker and will contain over 750,000 barrels of storage. The location of Block 9/3b is within the northern North Sea, approximately 160km east of the Shetland Isles on the western edge of the Viking Graben. This block covers slightly more than 200 km2. The nearest analogous commercial production of heavy oil is in Block 13/22a (the Captain Field) approximately 250 km away. Other nearby heavy oil discoveries yet to be developed are the Bressay field immediately north of Block 9/3b and the Mariner field in Block 9/11, approximately 35 km southwest of Block 9/3b. A study, carried out for first stage production on the northern part of the field in Block 9/3b, showed proven oil reserves were approximately 22m bbl, while proved, probable and possible reserves were 35m bbl. The study said that a best estimate of resources in the core area of the field – the second stage production area – were 101m bbl. The Bentley field was discovered in 1977. On may 2015, Xcite Energy has upgraded the reserve estimate for its Bentley field and based its valuation on the field containing heavy oil reserves of 265 million barrels, up from 257 million barrels previously, as well as 36 billion cubic feet (1 billion cubic metres) of gas. There has been an increase in 1P, 2P and 3P heavy oil reserves for the Bentley field to 234 MMstb, 265 MMstb and 296 MMstb, respectively, effective 31 December 2014 and based on an expected initial 35 year production period. There has also been a confirmed NPV10 (after tax) value of reserves for the Bentley field which is approximately US$1.9 billion, US$2.3 billion and US$2.6 billion on a 1P, 2P and 3P basis, respectively, effective 31 December 2014.
Operator:
Xcite Energy: Operator with 100% interest
Contractors:
Applied Drilling Technology International (ADTI): Drilling rig supply contract
AMEC: PMC and FEED contract
Costain Upstream (previous EPC Offshore): Support services
Expro: Contract to provide equipment and services in support of Xcite Energy\'s 90 day extended well test
Fugro Well Services: Pre-development well and seabed survey
Rowan Companies, Inc.: Rowan Norway Jack-up rig
TRACS International Consultancy: Independent reserves auditor
Baker Hughes: Contract to be involved in the field specific, technical and commercial oil field services for Bentley and the supply of drilling and completion services, well engineering, electronic submersible pumps and reservoir engineering and will work to develop innovative, field specific technical and commercial oil field services for Bentley.
AGR: Supply of its well construction planning software, P1™ to support development of the Bentley Field, located in the North Sea. AGR’s P1™ has been developed to improve well-construction performance.
China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL): Provision of a new-build Keppel FELS N Class Plus, harsh environment jack-up drilling rig, together with equipment and personnel for the Bentley field
Sub Contractor:
Keppel: Rig modifications
Aibel: Set out the principles for executing the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Ove Arup & Partners designed self-installing working with AMEC will act as XER\'s Project Management Contractor, to deliver the ACE platform