The Hummingbird Spirit has been captured entering the Cromarty Firth on what could be one of its last ever journeys.
The floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel left the central North Sea last week after more than a decade serving the Spirit Energy Chestnut field.
It is ultimately destined for the Port of Nigg in the north of Scotland, though it is currently unclear about what will happen to the vessel after that.
Operator Teekay (NYSE: TK) agreed to sell the Hummingbird Spirit last month.
The name of the buyer has not revealed and the New York-listed firm declined to disclose any more information when pressed by Energy Voice.
Reports elsewhere have suggested the vessel is lined up to be scrapped, something Teekay has not confirmed.
Teekay recently said it intends to deliver the vessel to the buyer in “June/July”, and said publicly last month that the sale covers decommissioning costs.
Chestnut
Work is ongoing at the Chestnut field to recover the mooring lines that held the Hummingbird Spirit in place since 2008.
A portion of ground chain and 12 suction anchors are also due to be recovered at some point this year.
Having over performed during production, plans to decommission Chestnut where finally unveiled in August.
The North Sea operator said last year that the field, around 125 miles east of Aberdeen, has produced four-times as many barrels than originally expected.
And over the course of the last 15 years Chestnut has produced more than 27 million barrels of oil – it had initially been expected to yield seven million barrels over an estimated production life of just two years.
When the final well at the field was drilled in 2020, Spirit said the aim was to keep the field producing through to 2023.
Teekay winding down FPSO arm
A spokesperson for Teekay recently said: “As part of our ESG strategy and priorities, and in line with our plan to wind down our FPSO business, Teekay entered into an agreement to sell the Sevan Hummingbird FPSO in April 2022.
“After 14 years of successful operations on the Chestnut field in the central North Sea, the unit is expected to depart the field and be delivered to the new owners in June/July 2022.”
In line with its strategy Teekay has sold the Petrojarl Foinaven FPSO, formerly of the namesake BP oilfield West of Shetland.
The vessel is on its way to Hunterston, Ayrshire, where it will be recycled.
Last year Teekay took the Petrojarl Banff FPSO to Denmark for recycling.