The converted floating production, storage and offloading vessel Maersk Curlew is due to sail to the Curlew field in the UK central North Sea in mid-September, said Shell's project manager Austin Hand. First oil flows from the field are expected in October and the first gas exports are scheduled for 1 November. Curlew, located about 210 kilometres east of Aberdeen, will initially be tapped via two reservoirs -- B and D -- using the Maersk Curlew, being leased by Shell from Danish contractor Maersk, which will also operate the vessel.