Page 18 - EurOil Week 06 2021

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IOG names new CEO plan for Core Project Phase 1 in the UK Stella Area is located in the Central Graben
area of the Central North Sea. The FPF-1
North Sea approved by the UK Oil and Gas
Independent Oil and Gas (IOG), and oil and Authority. produces oil and gas from Stella, Harrier,
gas company focused on the UK North Sea, The Core Project comprises gas and Vorlich fields.
has has appointed David Gibson as its new resources across six discovered UK Ithaca’s production for the first nine
Chief Operating Officer. Southern North Sea (“SNS”) gas fields. months of 2020 was 68,000 barrels of oil
“David has extensive relevant North Phase One, approved by the OGA, will equivalent per day, 61% of which was
Sea engineering and project management focus on the development of Blythe, liquids.
experience over a near 30-year energy Elgood, and Southwark fields. The company, a subsidiary of Israeli
industry career, culminating in a number The company in January said that work company Delek, last November said that
of executive management positions over on the construction of the two platforms full-year 2020 production was anticipated
the past decade,” IOG said. being built for the project was progressing to be at the top end of the 63-68 kboe/d
Having started his industry career at well with delivery scheduled for 1Q 2021. guidance range.
Foster Wheeler Wood Group and Amec,
he spent 15 years at Marathon Oil UK Ltd
before moving to TAQA Bratani, where he Ithaca resumes output at UKOG submits appeal on
was Technical Director until 2019.
Most recently he was with Ithaca North Sea platform after Dunsfold refusal
Energy, where he led the integration of the
North Sea assets acquired for $2 billion UK-focused oil firm Ithaca Energy has UK Oil & Gas announced on February 10 that
from Chevron and subsequently was restarted production from its FPF-1 offshore it had lodged an appeal against the refusal
appointed Assets Director. platform in the North Sea, some two weeks of planning permission for its proposed
“David’s appointment as COO, which after a Covid-related shutdown. Loxley gas exploration site near the village of
is not initially intended to be a board Ithaca shut down production after four Dunsfold in Surrey.
position, follows an extensive and four crew members from the offshore Surrey County Council’s planning
thorough search process managed by a production platform tested positive on committee rejected the company’s
leading sector-focused executive search January 19 and January 20. It, at the time application for the second time on 27
firm, Preng & Associates, which covered a said it wouldn’t seek to restart production November 2020. A first refusal on 29
diverse range of candidates. It also enables until it could start up in a safe and June 2020 was rescinded after technical
Rupert Newall to step back from his controlled manner.” problems during the online meeting.
Interim Project Director role and continue In a statement on February 5, Ithaca Both decisions were against the advice of
in his permanent role as Chief Financial Energy said that production had resumed planning officers, who had recommended
Officer,” IOG said. on February 1. approval.
Andrew Hockey, CEO of IOG, said: “We Ithaca said: “In response to crew In November, councillors voted by
are delighted to welcome David to lead the members testing positive for coronavirus six votes to five to refuse because of the
operating team at IOG where he will be a on the FPF-1 Floating Production impact on the road network and landscape.
key contributor in successfully delivering Facility last month we have reviewed our The appeal will be considered by a
on our ambition to be a safe, efficient, COVID-19 procedures, completed a deep government-appointed planning inspector,
low-carbon developer and producer of clean of the FPF-1, implemented testing probably at a public inquiry. UK Oil and
high-value gas. In so doing he will build of those on board the installation, and Gas (UKOG) said it expected a decision by
on strong existing foundations and I thank increased cleaning schedules. the end of this year.
our CFO Rupert Newall for fulfilling “We have also introduced pre- In its statement to investors, UKOG
the Interim Project Director role very mobilisation testing for all Ithaca Energy said its lawyers had advised there were
effectively over recent months. operated assets and this, together with the “strong grounds to expect a positive appeal
“David joins the company at an exciting measures outlined above, enabled us to outcome”.
time with Phase 1 construction in full implement a phased and controlled process The company has argued that methane
swing and development drilling expected of increasing the number of personnel gas from the Loxley site could be converted
to start in around two months, targeting onboard the FPF-1 and restart production into hydrogen, helping the UK achieve net
first gas in Q3 this year. Supported by an on Monday, 1 February 2021.” zero carbon emissions.
excellent team already in place across all The FPF-1 floating production facility
disciplines, David will be able to hit the is located in Block 30/6a, some 240 km
ground running and I have no doubt he east of Aberdeen, and serves the Ithaca-
will have a very positive impact across our operated Greater Stella Area production
business.” hub.
IOG last year saw its field development The Ithaca Energy operated Greater

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