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England-based energy transition-focused player EnergyPathways has made inroads in making its proposed large-scale offshore wind-powered energy storage project in the East Irish Sea ready for a final investment decision (FID) later this year by securing a license to operate a block encompassing the project and picking a compatriot contractor to handle engineering study for the field development as part of pre-front end engineering and design (FEED) work.
EnergyPathways, which plans to deliver home-grown clean energy to the UK through its project at the Marram gas field, known as the Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project, has received the license operatorship approval from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) for Block 110/4a that includes the company’s MESH project in the East Irish Sea.
The British player sees the approval as a prerequisite for the submission of the field development plan (FDP) and environmental statement (ES), deeming it to be “an important milestone” in the development of its project, which is expected to provide a secure and dependable supply of natural gas and green hydrogen for the UK market for over 20 years.
Ben Clube, CEO of EnergyPathways, commented: “We are delighted to announce the NSTA’s approval for the licence operatorship for Marram Block 110/4a which is an endorsement by government authorities of our operating capabilities and is a necessary milestone to keep us on track towards our plans to achieve FID on MESH later this year.”
The company has also signed a subsea engineering service agreement with PDi, deciding to entrust the UK-based firm with engineering study support for the Marram field development’s tie-in connection as part of the pre-FEED task list, which follows the recently announced appointment of Wood as project lead engineering partner for MESH to progress the project through the engineering, construction, commissioning, and management phases.
Commenting on the award, Kirstie Langan, PDi’s Global Business Development Director, highlighted: “We are delighted to be working with EnergyPathways as they progress this most exciting gas development and storage energy infrastructure project, which will provide the UK with a secure and flexible supply of low-carbon, low-cost energy.
“Our highly experienced team of pipeline and process engineers, project execution specialists and designers will ensure a robust and pragmatic approach is taken to support this innovative and nationally significant project.“
According to PDi, the Marram underground geo-storage capacity is projected to be up to 50 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas and is developing integrated energy storage that can provide the UK with a secure, flexible gas supply and leverage the growing value loss from the UK’s excess wind power by utilizing green hydrogen storage solutions.
Derek Grimmer, EnergyPathways’ Chief Operating Officer, remarked: “EnergyPathways is eager to work with companies that are willing to challenge the status quo and work collaboratively with our own specialist team to develop unique and cost-effective solutions for our flagship MESH project.
“After meeting with many supply chain companies that operate in both the subsea and topsides/EPIC space, we selected PDi for their particular skills, experience and track record in pipeline tie-in’s / hot-taps, coupled with their pragmatic approach to engineering solutions and understanding of new technologies that have been developed over recent years.” |
