Between April 2009 and mid-February 2010, oil export from the fields was delivered via shuttle tankers loading from a single anchor leg mooring system, which was susceptible to interruption from severe weather.
As originally planned, export has now switched to a permanent pipeline export route via Lundin’s Thistle platform. The new system is expected to reduce interruption and improve production stability and export operations.
Lundin began modification of the Thistle platform in late 2008, which included the installation of a new flexible riser hang off platform. The final tie-ins and pipeline commissioning operations were completed in late February 2010.
The oil is commingled with Thistle's existing export oil stream and then enters the Brent System Pipeline. In addition to the oil pipeline between the two facilities there is also a gas pipeline which, when commissioned, will take surplus gas from the Dons development for fuel on Thistle.
