The Fulmar Field, Blocks 30/16 & 30/llb, UK North Sea

Abstract

Abstract The Fulmar Field is located on the southwestern margin of the Central Graben in Blocks 30/16 and 30/11b of the UK sector of the North Sea. The field is a partially eroded anticline with steeply dipping flanks formed by the withdrawal of deeper Zechstein salt. The reservoir consists of thick Upper Jurassic, shallow marine, very bioturbated sandstones of the Fulmar Formation and deep marine turbidites interbedded within the Kimmeridge Clay Formation. Seal to the reservoir is provided by the Kimmeridgian shales in the west and Upper Cretaceous chalks which unconformably overlie the Fulmar Formation in the east. The reservoir section has been subdivided into seven members and 14 reservoir units. Reservoir quality is generally excellent, although there are lower-energy sandstone facies found in the eastern part of the field. The Fulmar oil is highly undersaturated and a secondary gas cap has been created by gas injection. Two exploration wells were drilled before the field was declared commercial. Development is from a 36 slot steel platform and a six slot template. Oil evacuation is by a floating storage unit and gas evacuation is via the Fulmar gas pipeline. Total STOIIP is 815 MMBBL and ultimate recovery is 462 MMBBL oil and 264 BCF gas. Production started in 1982 and 319 MMBBL oil and 121 BCF gas have been produced by year-end 1988. A total of 80 BCF gas has been re-injected for conservation purposes.