published Wed, February 22, 2012
New technology project contract awarded
In connection with the development of the world’s first seabed gas compression facility on the Åsgard field, Technip Norway has been awarded the contract for the marine operations of the project. The contract is valued at NOK 1,2 billion.
Åsgard seabed gas compression is expected to increase recovery
from Mikkel and Midgard by roughly NOK 278 million barrels of oil
equivalents. The contract for marine operations is one of several
major contracts awarded in connection with the decision to adopt
new technology in order to increase recovery and maintain
production on the Åsgard field in the Norwegian Sea.
"Åsgard seabed gas compression will have a major impact on
increased recovery and on the total value added by the Norwegian
continental shelf. Åsgard gas compression will help boost
considerably the recovery rate and lifetime of several gas fields,"
says head of production for the Åsgard area, Astrid Jørgenvåg.
Quantum leap in technology
Åsgard, which is a central hub on Haltenbanken and a significant
oil and gas producer in the Norwegian Sea, is the first field in
the world to start using seabed gas compression.
"This project represents a quantum leap in seabed technology and is
an important step towards the realisation of Statoil's ambition to
develop a complete subsea factory," says senior vice president for
technology excellence, Siri Espedal Kindem.
The contract for marine operations includes the installation of
control and power umbilicals, structures, diverless tie-ins and
connection to existing subsea infrastructure. The marine operations
on the Åsgard field will be carried out in the course of 2013 and
2014.
The contract will account for approximately 50 jobs for Technip
in Oslo and Stavanger over a three-year period. The contract also
involves manufacturing requirements that will entail the potential
for significant deliveries by sub-contractors.
Increasing volumes
It was in 2011 that Statoil and its partners on Åsgard decided
to go in for seabed gas compression in order to recover the large
volumes still remaining in the field. Åsgard seabed gas compression
will start up in 2015 and have an investment frame of approximately
NOK 15 billion.
This technology is one of the most important measures taken by
Statoil in order to maintain and increase recovery from existing
NCS fields.
Seabed compression can increase recovery on several small and
medium size fields in future. Statoil is currently engaged on three
such projects. Seabed compression is the chosen concept for
Åsgard and Gullfaks. Statoil is also working together with the
operator, Shell, on a similar solution for Ormen Lange.
"This is just the beginning. Technological advances such as
seabed compression enable the extraction of oil and gas in places
where it would not otherwise have been profitable. We are thus
taking responsibility for increased recovery on the Norwegian
continental shelf," adds Kindem.
Partners on the Åsgard field: Petoro AS (35.69%), Statoil
(operator, 34.57%), Eni Norge AS (14.82%), Total E&P Norge AS
(7.68%) and ExxonMobil Development Norway (7.24%).
Date: 22/02/2012