CNOOC Limited says that the first production from the Rochelle gas-condensate field in the UK North Sea has commenced. At Rochelle field, Nexen Petroleum U.K. Ltd. (Nexen UK), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acts as the field operator.

The Rochelle field in Blocks 15/26b, 15/26c and 15/27 lies approximately 115 miles northeast of Aberdeen. The field development consists of the construction of two subsea production wells (East and West Rochelle) and the installation of a production pipeline to the Scott platform.

Initial production is from West Rochelle. Drilling continues on East Rochelle, which is expected to be on-line during the fourth quarter of this year. All production from Rochelle will be processed at the Nexen UK-operated Scott platform.

Tags: CNOOC Limited