Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) has been given the go-ahead by UK authorities on its development plan for Cladhan field in the North Sea.

The approval, given by the UK Government on Wednesday, will initially see Taqa drill three wells on the field which will then be tied back to the company’s Tern Alpha platform.

The initial phase of development calls for two producer wells and one injection well at the field which lies in blocks 210/29a and 210/30a in the northern part of the North Sea.

“Cladhan is expected to produce over 17,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day initially with first oil expected in the first quarter of 2015,” Taqa said.

“The production will be tied back to Taqa’s Tern Alpha platform which lies 17.5 kilometres north-east of the Cladhan field.”

Leo Koot, magagin director of Taqa’s UK business, Taqa Bratani, said: “The Cladhan development is the third field that Taqa has developed and the largest project to date.

“Developing Cladhan as a tie back to Tern supports Taqa’s strategy to invest in our infrastructure as we recognise the crucial part it plays in allowing us to maximise recovery from the northern North Sea.”

Taqa took over operatorship of Cladhan, in licence P1064, in October last year fter buying shares from Sterling Resources, Premier Oil and Dyas UK in three separate farm-ins over an extended period.

It currently holds a 40.1% stake but has agreed to buy a further 12.6% from Sterling.

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