Hartshead keeps the wheels spinning for UK offshore gas development

Hartshead remains on track to deliver first gas from its UK Southern Gas Basin project in 2025 with its Phase 1 Field Development Plan now nearing completion and submission.

Submission of the FDP, which covers the Anning and Somerville gas fields, to the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) is expected to occur within the next few weeks.

Development of the fields, which have Proved and Probable (2P) Reserves of 301.5 billion cubic feet of gas, will be achieved through the use of six wells connected to two wireline-capable Normally Unmanned Installation platforms that will in turn be tied back by a 40km export pipeline to Shell’s Corvette Facility.

The gas will then be transported to the onshore Bacton Gas Terminal via Shell’s Leman system and pipeline where it will be sold to customers and reduce the UK’s reliance on imported gas, which currently supplies half of its needs.

Hartshead Resources (ASX:HRR) adds that Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) work for Phase 1 is now about 90% complete.

Completion of FEED will be a major milestone as the Phase 1 development progresses towards a final investment decision and the execution phase.

The inaugural workgroup between the company’s technical and commercial teams and farm-in partner RockRose Energy occured on 25 May 2023.

“Completing FEED for our Phase I development and submission of the FDP to the NSTA will be an important step towards field development and first gas,” chief operating officer Keith Bush said.

“I am pleased by the commitment and work effort of the team and their valuable contribution to our operational efforts.”

Other activity

The company is finalising Invitations To Tender (ITTS) for Phase 1 platforms Engineering, Procurement, Installation and Commissioning (EPIC) contracts, following on the recent issue of ITTS for the pipeline route survey for the Phase 1 export pipeline to Corvette.

Pre-qualification of the ITTS for Phase 1 export pipeline EPIC is also nearing completion and the company is in the process of securing a vessel to perform borehole surveys at each of the Anning and Somerville platform locations.

Separately, Hartshead has made submission for a number of licences in the UK 33rd Offshore Licensing Round announced by the NSTA in 2022.

Bush added that the company was looking forward to receiving feedback on its submission and potentially winning new licences to add to its existing portfolio.

This article was developed in collaboration with Hartshead Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.