Brae Group Partners

• Marathon Oil U.K., Ltd. (Operator)
• BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
• TAQA Bratani Limited
• Centrica Resources Limited
• Nippon Oil Exploration & Production U.K. Limited
• TAQA Bratani LNS Limited
• GDF Suez E&P UK Ltd

Marathon has proven versatility (PDF, 27 KB) in handling a wide range of fields in the Brae Area, in both liquids and gas condensate, offering third parties three main services:

• Liquids transportation via the Brae-Forties Pipeline System into the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) to onshore (Liquids).
• Gas transportation and processing via SAGE (Gas).
• Platform services to ensure the specifications are met for either of the above transportation systems (Platforms).
• The Brae Area Infrastructure comprises three offshore platforms — Alpha, Brae Bravo and East Brae — connected by an intra-field pipeline network.

Liquid production from the operated fields and third-party liquids are transported via the Brae-Forties pipeline originating from Brae Alpha and onward via the Forties Pipeline System to Kinneil. Over two-thirds of the Brae-Forties Pipeline System throughput is from third-party business. Gas production from operated fields and third parties is fed into the SAGE pipeline via the Brae gas pipeline and on to the St. Fergus terminal for processing.

Overview

The Brae Group owns the Brae-Forties Pipeline System which feeds into the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) at Forties Charlie.

FPS is a 100 percent BP-owned integrated oil and gas liquid transportation and processing system with a nominal capacity of 1,150,000 barrels per day serving the central area of the North Sea. It transports crude oil and gas liquids from offshore entry points, processes the liquids at Kinneil and redelivers Forties Blend crude oil at Hound Point and either raw gas or fractionated gas products at Grangemouth.

Entry Specifications

Continual management of the quality and specification of the user field pipeline liquids are maintained to ensure the availability and integrity of the Brae-Forties Pipeline System. Quality and specification are managed through:

• Contractual specification
• Actual composition
• Ongoing monitoring

A standard specification (PDF, 31 Kb) has been developed  to meet the needs of most fields. Where the standard specification does not meet the field owners' specifications, Marathon would meet with the field owners to discuss how the field can be accommodated.

Monitoring is continuously carried out to ensure that the pipeline liquids delivered by customers meet the agreed specification and are free from non-specification liquids/materials which could damage any part of the pipeline system, or that may prejudice health, safety, security or environmental performance.

Capacity

The Brae-Forties Pipeline is a 117 kilometer, 30-inch diameter pipeline connecting Brae Alpha to Forties Charlie platform. The nominal liquids capacity is 540,000 barrels of oil per day and maximum allowable operation pressure is 2900 psi.

This capacity only refers to the Brae-Forties Pipeline System and spare capacity is also contingent on FPS having spare capacity.

Access

Access by new entrants to the Brae-Forties Pipeline System is available through:

• Utilization of the Brae platforms for processing fluids, and/or
• Utilization of the liquids transportation system, through tees with spare tapping points.

There are three subsea tees available for use as access points for third parties into the Brae Area Infrastructure. Two of these are currently used for liquids transportation from the Brae Bravo Block, the CNR operated Tiffany platform as well as the Beauly, BP Andrew and Cyrus fields.

It is the responsibility of the shipper for contracting with the owner(s) of connecting infrastructures, such as host platforms and/or spur pipelines. However Marathon, as operator, can facilitate discussions with and provide contacts for such infrastructures. For information on all connecting platforms and lines see the Brae-Forties Pipeline System .

Access to the Brae Area Infrastructure for fluids processing can be via any of the three platforms. Fluids would be processed to meet the appropriate pipeline entry specification and transported to the appropriate terminal. Liquids can also be received into the Brae Infrastructure using tees with spare access points or hot taps along the Brae Forties Pipeline System.

Technical Assessment Process

In order to determine the impact of a new field's pipeline liquids on the "Shippers Pipeline Liquids," a technical assessment will be carried out prior to it entering the Brae-Forties Pipeline System.

Pro-forma data sheets can be completed by the prospective third parties in order to facilitate this process:

• Profile (PDF, 11 KB): An average profile and capacity profile for the new field are requested to assess the impact of the new field on the capacity of the system. Also included are optional upside and downside profile data, which will assist in the process of determining booking rules to meet the needs of the field and Brae-Forties Pipeline System.

• Specification (PDF, 15 KB): To assess the impact of the impurities in the pipeline liquids on the Brae-Forties Pipeline System. Along with verifying that there are no integrity issues, it also determines any impact on the corrosion prevention policy.

• Flow Assurance (PDF, 15 KB): This allows us to evaluate any flow assurance issues, such as pumpability and wax deposition.

Liquid Pipeline Commercial Information

The Commercial Information provided is a summary only. The terms which have been summarized are not proposed to be an offer capable of acceptance or to create any legally binding obligation on any party.

• Commercial Confidentiality Agreement (PDF, 148 KB)
• Commercial Brenda/Nicol Published Access Agreement (PDF, 34 KB)
• Commercial Burghley Brae-Forties Pipeline System Transportation Agreement (PDF, 23 KB)

Overview 

The Brae Area Infrastructure covers two gas pipelines — the Scottish Area Gas Evacuation (SAGE) pipeline and the Brae-Miller linkline.

The Brae Area Infrastructure gas system, similar to the liquid pipelines, connects to the three platforms via an intra field pipeline system. Gas is then transported to the SAGE terminal via a 30-inch diameter pipeline from East Brae.

SAGE

This is a dense phase 350 km, 30-inch diameter nominal bore pipeline running from the Brae Area to the SAGE Terminal at St. Fergus.

Brae-Miller

This line offers interconnectivity between the Brae Bravo platform and Miller Platform. This 16-inch diameter pipeline is designed to accept gas of similar specifications to Brae and the Miller gas system and can be configured to flow in either direction.

SAGE

Marathon is a part owner of the Scottish Area Gas Evacuation (SAGE) system. SAGE processes and sweetens natural gas from Beryl Area, Brae Area, Atlantic and Cromarty, Britannia and Scott fields and plans are in process to transport and process Harding Area gas. The SAGE terminal facilities have been designed to enable a wide range of gas throughputs and compositions to be processed.

The Brae Group owns a 50 percent interest in the ExxonMobil operated SAGE Pipeline. The other 50 percent is owned by the Beryl group. The SAGE pipeline provides transportation for Brae and Beryl area gas and has a total wet gas capacity of 1,100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd). The SAGE terminal provides processing for gas from the SAGE pipeline and processing for 840 mmscfd of third-party gas from the Britannia field and processing for 200 mmscfd of third-party gas from the Atlantic and Cromarty fields.

Access to Infrastructure

The SAGE pipeline is a dense phase 350 km, 30-inch diameter nominal bore pipeline running from the Brae and Beryl Area to the SAGE Terminal at St. Fergus. It consists of three sub-pipes. The SAGE owners will internally circulate all requests for capacity.

• SAGE sub-pipes equity ownership (PDF, 19 KB)
  
• Technical diagram: Illustrates the area encompassed by the SAGE pipeline and the related platforms and pipelines. It starts from the Beryl Area through to the St. Fergus terminal. The area of SAGE pipeline which is owned by both the Brae and Beryl Group is highlighted in orange. The area which is 100 percent owned by Brae Group is highlighted in green. As part owners of SAGE pipeline, Brae Group therefore retains control for the use of facilities for future outside business.
• SAGE Facts and Figures (PDF, 12 KB)
  
• Terminal Gas Entry Specifications (PDF 66 KB)
  

Capacity

Three trains of separation, processing and treatment facilities, capable of processing 1,990 million cubic feet of sales gas, 5,300 tonnes of NGLs and approximately 2,500 tonnes of CO₂ per day.

For the years for which restricted or no capacity is indicated, there may be capital modification or commercial solutions that can improve the available ullage. For more information, contact us.

SAGE Commercial Information

Access to SAGE (Brae) System infrastructure will typically involve entering into the agreements listed below:

• Confidentiality Agreement (CA)
• Transportation and Processing Operations Services Agreement (TPOSA)
• Construction and Tie-in Agreement (CTA)
• Allocation Agreement (conformation to existing Allocation Agreements) 

BRAE-MILLER

The Brae-Miller Linkline is a 16-inch diameter pipeline connecting Brae Bravo to the Miller platform. It is currently used to transport gas from the Brae field to Miller, but if required it could be configured to flow in the opposite direction. The pipeline has a capacity of 380 mmscfd and a maximum operating design pressure of 410 barg, however, the Brae Bravo Emergency Shut Down Valve (ESDV) was tested to 244 barg only, subject to entry conditions. There are single 12-inch subsea tees on the platform-owned risers at each end of the pipeline and both would allow a subsea tie in.

Platforms

	Brae Alpha	Brae Bravo	East Brae
Fluids Processed	Black Oil	Gas Condensate and Black Oil	Gas Condensate
Gas Treatment Facilities	√	√	√
Oil Export	√	√	√
Gas Compression	√	√	√
Gas Export	√	√	√
Gas Lift	√	√	√
Produced Water Handling	√	√	√
Dehydration	√	√	√
H2S Removal	-	-	-
Water Injection HSW	√	-	-
Water Injection LSW	√	-	-
NGL Recovery	√	√	-
Gas Injection	-	√	√

Platform Capabilities:

• Brae Alpha
• Brae Bravo
• East Brae

Below are the pro-formas for publication of agreed terms and conditions as described by the Infrastructure Code of Practice.

• Platform Infrastructure Access Agreement Summary 1 (PDF, 33 KB)
• Platform Infrastructure Access Agreement Summary 2 (PD, 48 KB)

Liquid Pipeline Commercial Information

• Commercial Confidentiality Agreement (PDF, 148 KB)
• Commercial Brenda/Nicol Published Access Agreement (PDF, 34 KB)
• Commercial Burghley Brae-Forties Pipeline System Transportation Agreement (PDF, 23 KB)

SAGE Commercial Information

• Confidentiality Agreement (CA)
• Transportation and Processing Operations Services Agreement (TPOSA)
• Construction and Tie-in Agreement (CTA)
• Allocation Agreement (conformation to existing Allocation Agreements)