Germany-based Wintershall has started gas production from the unmanned mini-platform L6-B, off the Dutch North Sea coast.
Brought to its offshore location in June 2014, the ‘Minimum Facility’ platform can be deployed in shallow waters.
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With the capability to produce from even very small natural gas fields, the platform located in L6-B can also reduce costs.
The platform can be constructed within a short space of time through a simple installation process.
Anchored in the seabed through suction piles, the facility rises 18m above the sea level and has three decks without a helideck.
The facility can house up to two producing wells and its substructure weighs 1,100t, with the top side weighing around 100t.
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By GlobalDataAccording to Wintershall, the expected frequency of visits to the site is low as there is only minimal processing equipment on the L6-B platform. The field is in the middle of a restricted military zone.
Gas produced will be transported through a pipeline to the neighboring platform L8-P4.
A subsidiary of BASF, Wintershall operates 25 offshore platforms in Dutch, German, and UK areas of the North Sea.
Natural gas production will continue to be one of the company’s core activities in the Netherlands, as well as in the southern North Sea, would be complemented by oil production as well.
Image: The Minimum Facility platform can be deployed in particularly shallow waters. Photo: courtesy of Wintershall Holding GmbH.
