OIL & GAS UK has launched new guidelines aimed at increasing oil and gas production efficiency on the UK continental shelf (UKCS).
From 2004–12 production efficiency on the UKCS fell from 80% to 60%. Oil & Gas UK set up the Production Efficiency Task Force (PETF) in 2012, to help address the sustained decline in levels of production efficiency on the UKCS, sharing best practice and lessons learned. It is a cross-industry body made up of expert volunteers. Since it formed, production efficiency has increased to 73%.
The new report, Guidelines to Maximise Compression System Efficiency, has been compiled by the PETF. Much of the decline is thought to be due to gas compression losses, which in 2015 accounted for more than 40m boe in unplanned production losses. It will be available free to all Oil & Gas UK members through the Efficiency Task Force Hub.
It includes recommendations to improve compression system performance, including for compression system maintenance, integrity assurance, equipment and process condition monitoring and staff training and competency.
“The drive to increase industry efficiency requires companies to adopt new ways of working and share lessons and good practice. By streamlining our procedures and working practices across industry, we can continue to minimise downtime and maximise economic recovery,” said Stephen Marcos Jones, Oil & Gas UK’s director of business excellence. “These guidelines are the result of a collaborative, cross-industry effort and I would like to thank our work group member companies for their invaluable expertise and commitment.”
