Total launched the second phase after it received the approval from the UK government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The West Franklin field is located in Blocks 29/5b and 29/4d in the UK sector of the North Sea, approximately 240km East of Aberdeen.
The West Franklin Phase 2 development is aimed at producing estimated reserves of 85 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
It involves the drilling of three wells and the installation of a new platform tied back to the Elgin/Franklin facilities.
The production is expected to start by the end of 2013 and should reach 40,000 boe/day
Total Exploration & Production senior vice president of Northern Europe Patrice de Vivies said that West Franklin Phase 2 is another significant development for Total and reinforces our presence in the North Sea.
"It will contribute to maintaining our production level on the UK Continental Shelf and to expanding the life-span of the Elgin/Franklin hub," Vivies said.
