Cygnus project brings 1,200 jobs to UK

GDF SUEZ with partners Centrica and Bayerngas announces the £1.4 billion Cygnus project to develop the sixth largest gas field in the UK Southern North Sea

GDF SUEZ as operator with partners Centrica and Bayerngas have announced sanctioning of the £1.4 billion Cygnus project to develop the sixth largest gas field in the UK Southern North Sea. GDF SUEZ (38.75%) will operate the field with partners Centrica (48.75%) and Bayerngas (12.5%).

Initial contracts worth £375 million were signed today (Monday 6 August) by GDF SUEZ on behalf of the partnership to kick start the project. The majority of this (£337m) will be invested directly in the UK generating an initial 1,200 jobs.

In total around £1.4 billion will be invested in the Cygnus project, 80% of which is expected to be awarded to UK-based companies creating 4,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next four years during the construction phase.

The Cygnus field is the largest discovery in the Southern Gas Basin in the last 25 years.

Production is expected to start in late 2015. The field is expected to meet demand for nearly one and a half million homes at peak production, accounting for around 5% of the UK’s gas production.

The partnership welcomed the recent field allowance for new large shallow water gas fields by the UK Government, which provided the certainty and confidence to proceed with the development. Major contracts will be awarded progressively.

Jean-Marie Dauger, Executive Vice-President, GDF SUEZ said: “Cygnus, along with the Juliet development which we announced in June, are major projects for the UK gas industry and demonstrates our commitment to the North Sea. I am delighted to announce that we have signed these initial contracts which demonstrate our commitment to the UK supply chain. We are proud that Cygnus will bring substantial jobs and investment to the UK. We look forward to working with our partners and contractors to develop this very significant project”.

Centrica Chief Executive Sam Laidlaw said: “Today’s announcement represents a significant boost to the UK’s long term energy security and creates much needed jobs. For Centrica, which handles around a third of the UK’s gas and supplies half of its homes, this is an extremely important project as we look to unlock remaining gas in the North Sea and secure UK gas for our customers.”

Bayerngas UK’s Managing Director, Gerry Harrison, commented: “Cygnus represents a major investment for Bayerngas UK and complements other field developments, in Norway and Denmark, being undertaken by our parent company, Bayerngas Norge. We look forward to working closely with GDF SUEZ and Centrica to ensure the project is delivered according to plan.”

UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey, said: “The North Sea remains a vital source of the nation’s energy security and our expertise is renowned the world over. The Government is determined to maintain the best possible investment environment to ensure we capitalise fully on this national asset. The go ahead for the Cygnus field is terrific news, and will contribute substantially to the UK’s gas needs and support thousands of high skilled jobs.

 

Notes

  • Cygnus is located in the Southern North Sea, 150 kilometres off the coast of Lincolnshire. It has gross 2P reserves of approximately 18 billion cubic metres.
  • The detailed development concept for the field consists of two drilling centres, four platforms and initially ten development wells; the planned export route is through the ETS pipeline system to the Bacton gas terminal in North Norfolk.
  • UK companies benefiting from this announcement include: Heerema Fabrication Group and Burntisland Fabrications Ltd (Bifab) who will manage the main fabrication contracts, Amec Group Ltd for detailed engineering design and Saipem Ltd, for the export line. At the same time Ensco Ltd is awarded the drilling contract. Finally Seaway Heavy Lifting Contractors Ltd has been awarded a contract for the provision of transport and installation services for the platforms and subsea structure. Other contracts will be awarded as the project progresses.
  • The announcement of the Cygnus project also creates 50 additional jobs in GDF SUEZ operational headquarters in Aberdeen and a further 100 jobs offshore when the field is on production.

About GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd

GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd is an increasingly significant player in oil and gas exploration and production in the UK Continental Shelf. Since entering the region in 1997, the company has built up a substantial portfolio of assets in the Central and Southern North Sea, and West of Shetland, comprising over 40 licenses, 16 as operator.

GDF SUEZ E&P UK is the operator of the Cygnus development, one of the most significant undeveloped gas fields in the North Sea and employs more than 250 staff and contractors in offices in London and Aberdeen.

As part of the GDF SUEZ group, the world’s largest utility company, we share a common vision and a commitment to excellence in energy. The GDF SUEZ group is actively involved in oil and gas exploration and production in 16 countries.

About GDF SUEZ

GDF SUEZ develops its businesses (electricity, natural gas, services) around a model based on responsible growth to take up today’s major energy and environmental challenges: meeting energy needs, ensuring the security of supply, fighting against climate change and maximizing the use of resources.

The Group provides highly efficient and innovative solutions to individuals, cities and businesses by relying on diversified gas-supply sources, flexible and low-emission power generation as well as unique expertise in four key sectors: liquefied natural gas, energy efficiency services, independent power production and environmental services.

GDF SUEZ employs 218,900 people worldwide and achieved revenues of €90.7 billion in 2011.The Group is listed on the Paris, Brussels and Luxembourg stock exchanges and is represented in the main international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Stoxx 50, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe, ASPI Eurozone and ECPI Ethical Index EMU.

About Centrica

Centrica is a top 30 FTSE 100 integrated energy company operating predominately in the UK and North America. Upstream it sources, generates, processes, trades and stores energy. Downstream it supplies gas and electricity to millions of homes and businesses and offers a range of home energy solutions and low carbon products and services. For further information, see www.centrica.com

About Bayerngas UK Ltd

Bayerngas UK Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bayerngas Norge AS Group. Bayerngas has upstream operations in Norway, Denmark and the UK. These include interests in 4 producing oil and gas fields, 3 fields under development and 54 exploration and production licenses. The Group has 80 employees with offices near Oslo, London and Copenhagen. The Group was formed in 2006 and is owned by public energy and utility companies in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The shareholding companies are financially strong and their ownership in upstream activities secures them access to gas throughout the whole value chain. For more information, see www.bayerngasnorge.com