TAQA, the international energy company from Abu Dhabi, has received approval from the UK government for development of its Morrone field (block 9/23b) in the Central North Sea.

The initial phase of development will consist of an extended reach well drilled from the TAQA-operated Harding platform which lies 5 km north of the Morrone field. Morrone is expected to initially produce over 3,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day with first oil expected in the 3rd quarter of 2014.

Pete Jones, Managing Director of TAQA’s UK business, said: “Reaching this milestone so quickly is due to an intense effort by TAQA’s subsurface and wells teams, close collaboration with our partners, and a smooth transition of operatorship of the field from BP in June 2013.”

TAQA’s interest in Morrone is 70%. Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited has a 30% interest.

About TAQA

TAQA means energy in Arabic. We are an international energy and water company listed in Abu Dhabi operating in 11 countries across four continents.
We strive to run our company safely and sustainably, operating to the highest ethical standards. We are proud to align our strategy to Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, a roadmap for a sustainable economy with a focus on knowledge-based industry.
Our interests lie in conventional and alternative power generation, water desalination, oil and gas exploration and production, pipelines and gas storage. We operate in Canada, Ghana, India, Iraq, Morocco, the Netherlands, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

TAQA’s UK portfolio consists of 70% operated interest in the Harding field, 70% in the Morrone field and 37.03% non-operated interest in the Maclure field. In Brae, TAQA has a total interest of 45.7% in Block 16/7a, a total 50.1% interest in East Brae, and a total 65% interest in the Braemar field.
TAQA also has 100% operated equity in the Tern, Kestrel, Eider, Cormorant North, South Cormorant, Falcon and Pelican Fields. It has a combined 26.73% interest in the Dana-operated Hudson field and a 24% interest in the Sullom Voe Terminal. It has an interest in the SAGE pipeline and onshore terminal, and the Brae-Miller Linkline. It TAQA also operates the Brent Pipeline System.
Over 500 employees and over 2500 contractors and subcontractors work for TAQA on the UKCS and onshore.