Mittelplate safe production in a sensitive environment
Mittelplate, Germany’s largest crude oil field, is located off the German North Sea coast on the southern edge of Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea. Wintershall Dea has been producing crude oil from the field for over 35 years – safely and without any incidents.
The islanders on the 13 North Sea islands speak 13 different languages: standard German, Low German, Danish and ten Frisian dialects.
The Mittelplate field under the Wadden Sea in Schleswig-Holstein is Germany’s largest and most productive crude oil field. Wintershall Dea has set international standards in this ecologically sensitive area with its drilling and production island – both in terms of environmental compatibility and high-tech drilling.
35
years without incident – we achieve zero harm on Mittelplate.
40
million tonnes of crude oil to date.
2,000
to 3,000 metres is the depth at which the oil-bearing sandstone strata are found.
Over
9,000
metres: the widely extended reach wells – the longest internationally.
Crude oil production in a sensitive ecosystem
The Mittelplate drilling and production island is located on the southern edge of the Wadden Sea national park in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Nature must not be affected in this ecologically sensitive environment. We are aware of this responsibility. That’s why protecting the environment was already right at the top of the priority list in the planning and in constructing all the facilities on Mittelplate.
The drilling and production island Mittelplate, surrounded by the Wadden Sea, from a birds eye view.
As the nameplate shows, Wintershall Dea is the sole shareholder of Mittelplate.
Acting responsibly in every area
The highest security standards also apply in everyday operations: we work with highly sophisticated and state-of-the-art technology. All work processes have multiple safeguards. In combination with our experienced and responsible experts, the result is an optimum safety package. Our closed-cycle disposal system ensures that there is no negative impact on the North Sea and the Wadden Sea. We additionally avoid noise and light emissions and minimise shipping traffic – that takes account of the needs of the sensitive fauna. Our certified energy management also supports environmental protection.
Thanks to the combination of state-of-the-art technology, the capabilities and engagement of our experts, environmental protection and safe crude oil production at Mittelplate continue to co-exist in a readily compatible manner.
Continuing to write Mittelplate’s success story
Through Mittelplate, Wintershall Dea has become an internationally recognised pioneer in the field of environmentally sound oil production. We also want to set standards in the future with this showcase project. We have so far developed the reservoir with 28 production wells. The currently valid production approval permits oil production until the end of 2041.
The electrically powered drilling rig is particularly quiet and ideal for use in the Wadden Sea.
Video
Germany’s only drilling and production island is supplied with 100 percent certified electricity from renewable energy sources. This is how electricity comes to the island. In order to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from production in the Wadden Sea, Wintershall Dea will convert the ships in the Mittelplate supply fleet to hydrogen hybrid propulsion systems in the future.
Video
Germany’s only drilling and production island is supplied with 100 percent certified electricity from renewable energy sources. This is how electricity comes to the island. In order to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from production in the Wadden Sea, Wintershall Dea will convert the ships in the Mittelplate supply fleet to hydrogen hybrid propulsion systems in the future.
