Operations Manager Bernard Reith explains how the affiliate is managing this transition.
What are the project milestones since startup?
The first exploration phase was launched in 1971 and lasted three years. Six wells were drilled and five were commercially viable. Elf Petroland approved the development and began production in 1977. In the 1980s, the adjacent L4 field was discovered and developed; its exports were tied into the L7 system, together with other satellite developments. This is how the L7 Central Complex became the main hub in a sustainable gas production and export system. The field produced for exactly 40 years, from July 1977 until July this year. It was originally designed to produce for approximately 25 to 30 years.
What are the secrets of such longevity?
First, the development activities continued throughout the life of the field, with new wells and innovative production technologies to recover more gas from existing and additional wells. Secondly, cost optimization and improved efficiency of maintenance, logistics and other operational activities were implemented throughout the field lifetime. Another important innovation was offshore remote control technology via a central control room on L7CC for the entire field that eventually expanded from L7 to include the L4 and K6 fields as well. The control room was later moved onshore, reducing the teams offshore plus the night shift. Recently, however, L7 had been producing very little, but required a lot of maintenance. The decision was therefore made to shut down the facilities. The production from the L4 field has been maintained by rerouting it to the K6 field facilities. TotalEnergies E&P Nederland will now focus its attention on other assets that produce more and have significant economic life.
The L7 field was a flagship for many years for affiliate and the branch. Now, the grand old lady can take a rest, while TotalEnergies E&P Nederland prepares itself for a new future,” explains Dominique Janodet, the affiliate’s Managing Director.
Dominique-Janodet
What makes this field unique?
In the 1970s, Elf Petroland was a pioneer in offshore developments in the Dutch North Sea. For 40 years, L7Q was the first offshore stop for generations of offshore workers. In addition, many staff from TotalEnergies have held various operational roles on this field at some point in their careers, making it a training ground for different métiers. Now, with production shut down, it offers an opportunity to learn how to organize offshore decommissioning and a chance to demonstrate our pioneer spirit in this aspect too.
How is the affiliate preparing for decommissioning?
We have launched different studies to determine the most cost-effective and best technical manner to remove the facilities and restore the site. The immense technical challenge is plugging and abandoning (P&A) the ten wells, representing a significant cost. The lessons learned on how to perform this activity in a safe, cost-effective manner will be important for TotalEnergies E&P Nederland and E&P. In the meantime, we’re working on reducing the remaining operational costs of the facilities in this pre-abandonment phase, still subject to regulatory compliance.