The reservoir development of the Fife Field

The Fife Field, located in the southern part of the Central North Sea. produced first oil in August 1995 after a fast-track appraisal and development programme. At that time it was predicted to contain 120 × 10 6 BBL STOIIP in a predominantly fine-grained sandstone of Volgian age of which an estimated 50 × 10 6 BBL was recoverable over a 4 year field life. Rapid water breakthrough and a fast water-cut rise in the first three production wells, all located crestally on the field, led to significant reappraisal and remodelling of the field. This paper describes the initial field development, gives an account of the work which followed the start-up of the field, and accounts for the early water breakthrough.