Ithaca Energy recommences production at FPF-1 offshore platform in North Sea

Ithaca Energy has recommenced production from its FPF-1 offshore platform in the North Sea, following shutdown two weeks earlier due to Covid-19.

With crew members testing positive for Covid-19 last month, Ithaca closed down production at its offshore platform.

The UK-focused oil firm owned by Israel’s Delek Group then stated it would recommence production only in a safe and controlled way.

It recommenced production on 1 February.

Ithaca said: “In response to crew members testing positive for coronavirus on the FPF-1 Floating Production Facility last month we have reviewed our Covid-19 procedures, completed a deep clean of the FPF-1, implemented testing of those on board the installation, and increased cleaning schedules.

“We have also introduced pre-mobilisation testing for all Ithaca Energy operated assets and this, together with the measures outlined above, enabled us to implement a phased and controlled process of increasing the number of personnel on board the FPF-1 and restart production on Monday, 1 February 2021.”

Initially, one worker was evacuated by helicopter on 19 January after showing coronavirus symptoms. Later the Health & Safety Executive stated that 17 cases were confirmed.

Located in Block 30/6a, around 240km east of Aberdeen, the floating production facility caters to the Greater Stella Area production hub in the Central Graben area of the Central North Sea and operated by Ithaca.

The floating platform produces oil and gas from Vorlich, Stella and Harrier fields.

For the first nine months of 2020, Ithaca’s production stood at 68,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d).

Last November, it stated that complete year production of 2020 was expected to be at the high end of the 63,000boe/d-68,000boe/d guidance range.

Source: offshore-technology.com

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