Rathlin Energy (UK) Ltd announced it expected to store up to 490 tonnes of crude at its West Newton PEDL183 joint venture hydrocarbon site near Hull, East Riding.
PHASES
The company is due to begin a public consultation over the coming months after the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s screening opinion earlier this month considered that the proposed development would not need an environmental impact assessment.
Further details revealed by operator Rathlin show nine phases of planned operations over 25 years at the site.
These include appraisal testing and workover of existing wells; wellsite extension construction; appraisal drilling and production from two existing wells; well treatment and clean up; appraisal testing and produce from up to six new wells; process facility adjustments; well workovers, routine maintenance and repairs; well and production facility decommissioning; and restoration and aftercare.
GAS
Rathlin added that any associated natural gas produced would be burned and, where possible, natural gas would power generators and site equipment.
Burned natural gas would be subject to an Environmental Permit, authorised by Environment Agency.
The West Newton-A wellsite operation would have a maximum release of 330mmscf of incinerated natural gas, which would be assessed by an air quality report.
ACID
Rathlin said that its main technique would utilise acid, “not an acid fracture simulation” to treat the wells below the formation fracturing pressure. If this failed, nitrogen would be used.
The West Newton field is situated close to existing infrastructure and at the heart of the Zero Carbon Humber project.
Rathlin has a 66.67% interest in PEDL183, and Reabold Resources plc investment company has a 59% shareholding in Rathlin and a 16.665% licence share. Union Jack Oil holds a 16.665% interest in PEDL183.