Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway-- Statoil has issued a consultative document outlining proposals for removal of the Statfjord A platform in the Norwegian North Sea, which could take place in 2014.
This is the company’s longest-serving platform on the Norwegian continental shelf, coming onstream in 1979. Various life extension schemes have been implemented, alongside projects to lift overall recovery from the field to over 70%.
”Statfjord A currently has a dual role.” said Dag Berg, VP for Statfjord operations. “We are now planning platform shutdown at the same time as we are drilling new wells from the platform aimed at improving the field’s oil recovery,”
The company has circulated its consultative document to Norwegian central government authorities, local authorities, and special interest groups. It sets out a draft program for what might need to be included in an impact analysis before a final plan can be developed.
The program will describe plans for cessation and decommissioning, and analyze impact of the project on the environment, natural resources, fisheries, and Norwegian society.
A final impact analysis will be circulated for comments around end-2012 or early 2013.
”We already have some activities associated with decommissioning this year,” Berg said. “The permanent plugging of four wells that have not been onstream for several years is planned. Additionally, we plan to remove one loading buoy no longer in use.”
03/23/2011
