OREANDA-NEWS. BP and its co-venturers, ConocoPhillips, Chevron and Shell, are pleased to confirm the safe installation of the Clair Ridge platform jackets, a major milestone in the Clair Ridge project.

Clair Ridge is a ?4.5billion investment in the second phase of development on the Clair field which lies 75km to the west of the Shetland Islands. The project will comprise two new bridge-linked platforms, as well as new pipeline infrastructure to connect to processing facilities on Shetland. The next major milestone is the installation of the topsides, scheduled in 2015, with production expected to commence in late 2016.

Trevor Garlick, Regional President for BP’s North Sea business said: “Less than two years ago we announced our decision to invest in the giant Clair Ridge project. The safe installation of the two jackets in to the sea bed is a fantastic achievement by the project team, and is a very visible sign of our commitment to maintaining a successful long term business in the UK.”

The Clair Ridge development will have the capability to produce an estimated 640 million barrels of oil over a 40 year period, with peak production expected to be up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day. The project is headquartered in London, where over 750 people are currently employed. Approximately half of the Clair Ridge investment is occurring in the UK, with over 80 British companies providing engineering design and support services, hook up and installation services, manpower and a wide range of engineered equipment.

Clair Ridge is the first sanctioned large-scale offshore enhanced oil recovery (EOR) scheme using reduced salinity water injection (LoSal® EOR) to extract a higher proportion of oil over the life of the field. To reduce the environmental impact of the project, the platforms will be powered using dual-fuel power generators, incorporating waste heat recovery technology. Vapour recovery will also be used to capture and recycle low pressure gas for use as fuel or for exporting to shore.