BP North Sea Devenick gas project starts

The project is expected to add an extra 3% to current UK gas production

Oil giant BP has announced the successful start-up of its £650m Devenick gas project in the central North Sea.

The project, which involves a seabed pipeline to Marathon Oil's East Brae platform, will provide a new source of domestic gas for the UK.

Production from the field is due to peak in 2013 at up to 100 million standard cubic feet per day.

BP owns 88.7% of Devenick and RWE Dea UK holds the remaining 11.3%.

Trevor Garlick, regional president for BP's North Sea business, said: "The Devenick project has been delivered safely and on schedule.

"The project provides an important source of domestic gas to the UK and has also been a great example of the UK's strengths in subsea engineering.

"Around £500m has been invested in the UK supply chain during the development of this project."

UK Energy Minister John Hayes said when the Devenick project came on full stream, it would add an extra 3% to current UK gas production - enough to supply the equivalent of more than half a million homes a year.