Serica Energy, a British independent upstream oil and gas company with operations centred on the UK North Sea, provides an update on Rhum field production operations.

A fault has been identified in the Rhum Subsea Control Module which has necessitated a temporary shutdown of Rhum production. There are currently no safety or environmental issues associated with this fault. A programme to replace the control module is being planned utilising a spare module held in stock. This will necessitate diving operations and the timetable is not yet finalised. It is likely, however, that Rhum production will not resume for at least two weeks.

Production from the Bruce field continues and has not been adversely affected. Serica’s other producing fields (Erskine and Columbus) are not impacted by this Rhum issue.

Mitch Flegg, Chief Executive of Serica Energy, commented:
"This is a frustrating event, but I am confident our skilled teams onshore and offshore will safely and efficiently implement the required repairs using equipment and plans already in place to deal with such a situation.

Production from Bruce, Erskine and Columbus has consistently averaged over 10,000boe/d net to Serica so far this year. We expect these rates to continue during the Rhum shut down and we will look for ways to optimise the Bruce production rates during this period.”

KeyFacts Energy: Serica Energy UK country profile