Auk oilfield

Auk oilfield
Location of Auk oilfield
Country	Scotland, United Kingdom
Location	North Sea
Block	30/16
Offshore/onshore	offshore
Coordinates	56°24′00″N 02°04′00″E
Operator	Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Ltd
Field history
Discovery	October 1970
Start of production	1975
Production
Estimated oil in place	88.5 million barrels (~1.21×10^7 t)

The Auk Oilfield is situated 249 kilometres (155 mi) east, southeast of Aberdeen, Scotland, in block number 30/16. It was operated by Shell UK Exploration and Production Ltd, in 50% partnership with Esso until October 2006 when it was bought by Talisman Energy, and is now licensed by Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Ltd. It was discovered in October 1970 in a water depth of 182 metres. Estimated ultimate recovery is 88.5 million barrels (14.07×10^⁶ m³) of oil.

The field is named after the Auk a family of sea birds. Myles Bowen, Shell's Exploration Manager in 1970, had a keen interest in ornithology and began the naming convention of birds. There is an (entirely fanciful) legend that it was to be called A UK, as the first British oilfield, until somebody realised that the sixth field would be called F UK and Shell's policy was rapidly changed to name their fields after sea birds. Shells sixth UK oilfield is called Fulmar.

The oil reservoir is located at a depth of 2,316 metres (7,598 ft).

Production started in December 1975 from the Auk 'A' platform. This platform is a steel, 8 legged jacket designed by Shell Oil and constructed at Methil, Fife, Scotland. This jacket weighs 3,414 tonnes, it was installed in July 1974 and supported a topside weight of around 8,000 tonnes.

The topsides facilities included capability to drill, produce meter and pump oil. Initially production was to an ELSBM and then to the Fulmar Alpha platform in August 1986.

Associated gas from the reservoir was separated and used to power electrical generation with the excess being flared.

See also

• Energy policy of the United Kingdom
• Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom