exploration & production in europe
For more than 55 years, Chevron has been a major player in developing Europe’s oil and natural gas resources.
Our activity is concentrated in the United Kingdom, in particular, the North Sea, where we have a 19.4 percent nonoperated interest in the Clair Field . We work closely with the operator and partners to apply technology, technical expertise and experience to operate safely and reliably, unlock new opportunities, and sustain a competitive advantage.
our early milestones
Our origins in the U.K. North Sea date to 1964, when we, along with a joint venture partner, drilled the first exploration well. A decade later, our Ninian Central Platform was towed into position – at the time, the largest object ever moved by humans – some 100 miles (161 km) east of the Shetland Islands.
our current footprint
Discovered in 1977, Clair is one of the United Kingdom’s largest hydrocarbon resources. The field lies 47 miles (75 km) west of the Shetland Islands in the North Sea and extends over an area of 85 square miles (220 sq km) in water depths of approximately 460 feet (140 m). Oil and natural gas are exported via pipelines.
The Clair Field is being developed using a phased approach. Clair Phase 1 was sanctioned in 2001 and was developed with a single fixed platform with production and processing facilities. Production began in 2005.
The second phase of development, the $10 billion Clair Ridge project, is designed to have a capacity of 120,000 barrels of crude oil and 100 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. First oil was achieved in 2018 and continues to ramp up, with 14 of the 36-well development expected to be completed before the end of 2021. A third development phase of the Clair Field is being considered.
our technology advantage
We operate a Chevron Global Technology Center in Aberdeen, Scotland, which complements our technology centers around the globe. These facilities serve many of our major projects around the world, enabling faster deployment of technology, providing new technology development opportunities and increasing the pool of technical talent.
looking to the future
The Clair Ridge project is expected to reach full production capacity in 2028 when the final wells are completed. It is estimated that Clair Ridge could provide incremental potentially recoverable oil-equivalent resources in excess of 600 million barrels until 2050.
Following encouraging results from an appraisal and exploration drilling program conducted between 2013 and 2015, a third phase of development, Clair South, is being assessed.
For the latest figures, view the 2023 Supplement to the Annual Report.