One of the biggest oil fields in the country is set become more self-sufficient in order to survive for another 20 years.

Perenco (UK) Ltd, which owns Wytch Farm on Isle of Purbeck has revealed plans for a self-generation power station on its gathering station site.

The plans, the company say is required in order to generate more electricity on-site in order to reduce the significant ongoing costs associated with importing electricity.

They also stressed that since Dorset County Council agreed to extend the life of the oilfield in 2013 to 2037, they needed to find ways of generating new power else they could face being forced to use less power which could impact on day to day operations.

Currently, Wytch Farm currently produces 20,000 barrels per day with remaining reserves are estimated to be 40m barrels.

Under the plans, between two and six gas engines and between one and three waste heat recovery units.

Each gas engine would produce between 2 and 13 MW, depending on the number installed.

This would replace the current power supply which comprises of two gas turbines and waste heat recovery unit.

Wytch Farm currently produces approximately 11 MW of its own power with a further 14-18 MW of electricity is imported from the National Grid in order to satisfy overall demand.

However, a scoping report produced by Nicholas Pearson Associates said that the he proposed Power Generation Plant would provide most of the base load electricity demands for Wytch Farm and consequently only need to be supported by just 1-4 MW of variable electricity import from the National Grid.

"Generating power on-site has additional benefits in terms of greater energy efficiency and self-sufficiency."

Perenco (UK) Ltd said that demand was relatively constant, both on a day by day and year on year basis and as such trhe Proposed Power Generation Plant is anticipated to operate continuously (other than during planned shutdowns) until the Wytch Farm Gathering Station ceases to operate and is decommissioned.

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Dorset County Council in due course and subject to obtaining planning consent, construction is anticipated to commence in Spring 2019.