The Anning and Somerville field developments, located in the Southern North Sea, are making significant progress with the initiation of a pipeline route survey. Hartshead Resources NL (HHR) and Rockrose Energy, the joint venture partners behind the project, have also received bids for the construction of platforms.

Gardline's Ocean Observer, an 80.4-meter multi-role survey vessel, has been mobilized to the Anning and Somerville field locations to conduct a survey of the pipeline routing for the gas offtake from these fields. The survey's objectives include confirming seabed and sub-seabed soil conditions, finalizing the pipeline design, and ensuring efficient pipeline installation from the Anning and Somerville locations. The survey is expected to conclude in early October, subject to weather-related interruptions.

Additionally, HHR has received bids for the engineering, procurement, installation, and commissioning (EPIC) contract for the Anning and Somerville platforms. The company will assess the technical and commercial aspects of each bid and provide a recommendation to the JV Operating Committee to determine the contract awardee.

Keith Bush, COO of HHR, expressed enthusiasm about the project's rapid progress, stating, "With our third offshore operation of the year underway, the Anning and Somerville development is rapidly taking shape. In conjunction with the ongoing subsea survey program, receipt of the platform bids allows the team to continue to progress the development program towards the execution phase of the project."

The Anning and Somerville fields, discovered in 1969, commenced production in 2008 and 1999, respectively. Production ceased in 2015, with Somerville having produced 48 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas and Anning having produced 16 bcf of gas. In May, RockRose Energy, a part of UK-based energy company Viaro Energy, entered into a farm-in agreement for a 60% working interest in Production Licence P.2607, which encompasses the Anning and Somerville fields. Hartshead retained a 40% working interest in the license.