Irish Sea offshore project secures contractors as it moves toward sanction
The 1993 Marram discovery billed as important for UK energy security
The operator of the Marram offshore gas discovery in the Irish Sea has secured a front-end engineering and design contractor.
Operator EnergyPathways is proposing to develop the Marram field as a two-well subsea tieback to the existing Morecambe Bay offshore production infrastructure.
The company is working towards a final investment decision and is targeting first production in 2025.
To help advance the project, the operator has contracted two companies — MCS Subsea Solutions and Mermaid Subsea Services — to perform the FEED, project support, procurement and offshore construction services.
EnergyPathways said proven technology will be used to reduce development costs and delivery cycles.
MCS and Mermaid plan to access fit-for-purpose vessel solutions and use NOV Tuboscope Zap-Lok, a mechanical interference fit connection system, for the subsea pipeline.
The Marram project will also facilitate the use of diverless connection systems for shallow water, which will reduce the risk of using divers for the pipeline tie-in work.
EnergyPathways' chief executive Ben Clube said enlisting the two contractors was an important step in ensuring the necessary subsea expertise and project support capabilities were in place.
"The Marram project will provide affordable and reliable low emission energy to the UK market, while offering security of energy supply and commercial returns to our investors," Clube said.
The Marram field was discovered in 1993 and is estimated to contain 35.3 billion cubic feet of proven plus probable gas reserves.
It is located in Block 110/4a, part of licence P2490, and lies 15 kilometres east of the South Morecambe gas platform.
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