Serica Energy has suspended production from the Triton floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel following damage sustained during Storm Eowyn in January, with operations not expected to resume until mid-to-late March.
The storm event on January 24 triggered the vessel’s fire and gas detection system through sea spray, causing an automatic shutdown.
While operators managed an initial restart on January 28, subsequent inspections revealed storm damage to one of the cargo tanks.
Further complications arose when Dana Petroleum identified an integrity issue with a coupling in the inert gas line needed for tank purging.
“Given that the Triton FPSO was recovering strongly from the operational issues of 2024, with material production from new wells, the impact of Storm Eowyn is deeply frustrating,” said Serica CEO Chris Cox.
The shutdown has significantly impacted Serica’s production levels, which dropped from 37,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in January to 27,000 boepd in February. The company is now reviewing its 2025 production guidance pending clarity on repair timelines.
The Triton FPSO, located approximately 120 miles east of Aberdeen, serves the Bittern, Clapham, Pict, Saxon, and Guillemot Area subsea facilities.
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This latest setback follows multiple outages in 2024, including compressor seal issues that caused a shutdown in October last year.
“Safety is of course always the number one priority, and we fully support the operator’s actions in ensuring that this supersedes other considerations,” Cox added.
“Recent drilling results illustrate the significant value of proven hydrocarbons in the Triton area. We will continue working with the operator and discussing with them at the highest level all options to secure a lasting improvement in the operating performance of the FPSO.”
