Chevron has been a leading presence in the United Kingdom's oil and gas industry for many years. Its downstream activity dates from the beginning of the 20th century and its upstream operations from the 1960s. In 1964, a Chevron and Texaco joint venture drilled the first exploration well in the North Sea. A decade later, the world watched when the Ninian Central Platform—at the time, the largest object ever moved by humans—was towed into position some 100 miles (161 km) east of the Shetland Islands.
Twenty years after its discovery in 1977, the Captain Field achieved first oil thanks to developments in precision horizontal drilling and the utilization of downhole pumps in well bores.
Health, Environment and Safety
Chevron's Operational Excellence management system for improving safety, environmental and health performance is woven into every aspect of our operations.
For example, the Captain Field makes use of waste heat recovery units that significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. An export pipeline was installed to reduce flaring and allow importation of gas for power generation when the field ceases to produce its own. A similar gas pipeline from Alba to Britannia also has reduced gas flaring.
In onshore and offshore facilities in the United Kingdom, Chevron employs an effective behavior-based safety system known as POWER, Positive Observations Will Eliminate Risk. This observation system is essential to supporting safe behaviors. Chevron also employs Stop Work Authority, a policy that establishes the responsibility and authority of any individual to stop work when an unsafe condition or act could result in an undesirable event.
The Economy and Technology
Chevron employs about 1,200 people in the United Kingdom.
Chevron deploys the latest technology and training. Our operations in the North Sea have a track record of technological innovation.
At the Alba Field, for example, we employ the latest 4-D seismic technology to record data that aids analysis and provides a clearer image of the field's reservoir. Alba also employs new technology to improve the quality of water produced during the production process. In 2008, the Alba Northern Platform took another major step in its plans to reduce the environmental impact of its operations by partially reinjecting produced water into the reservoir for the first time. Prior to reinjection, the field's partners had spent more than £13 million ($21.2 million) since 2003 on measures that reduced the concentration of oil in produced water discharge to less than 10 parts per million.
The Captain Field was one of the first North Sea fields to employ horizontal drilling. Other technological firsts include the combined use of horizontal drilling, gravel packing and gas-handling hydraulic submersible downhole pumps. Increasingly complex wells are being drilled, reaching areas of the reservoir that would otherwise remain inaccessible. In 2010, enhanced oil recovery was tested through a pilot study using polymer flooding, a chemical injection technique used to increase production. This trial is planned to continue through 2011.
The Erskine Field—an unmanned facility—became the first in the North Sea to deal with extreme pressures (14,000 PSI) and temperatures (350° F [177° C]). Experience gained from Erskine was successfully applied to the Elgin/Franklin and Jade developments.
Chevron has an Energy Technology Center in Aberdeen, Scotland, to provide research, development and technical services for the company's worldwide operations. The center employs 85 technology professionals—72 are based at our headquarters in Aberdeen and 13 are based around the world—complementing Chevron's existing U.S.-based technology centers in California and Texas and in Perth, Australia. These facilities provide research, development and technical support to Chevron's upstream, downstream, global gas and emerging energy businesses around the world. Locating a technology center strategically alongside Chevron's European operations enables faster deployment of technology, provides new technology development opportunities and increases the pool of technical talent.
Awards and Recognition
In 2010, Oil & Gas UK awarded its gold-level recognition to Chevron Upstream Europe for the quality of the company's compliance with the industry organization's Supply Chain Code of Practice. The recognition was based on supplier ratings of overall performance and efficiency.
The Cyrenians, an Aberdeen charity that provides a range of services to meet the needs of homeless people, recognized Chevron with its Supporter Award 2009/10. Chevron employees volunteer their time to assist the organization with its efforts to prevent and alleviate homelessness in the area.
Updated: September 2011
Cautionary Statement