Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway – The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has approved extended use of the B platform on the Gullfaks field in the North Sea until Jan. 1, 2036, when the production license is set to expire.
Gullfaks B came onstream in February 1988. In its application, operator Statoil claimed the facility could be operated profitably up to 2031 or possibly longer via IOR projects and other measures.
NPD believes continued operation of the platform is necessary to ensure recovery of Gullfaks’ remaining resources. The drilling rig was recently upgraded and new wells are being drilled from the facility.
In recent years Statoil has worked on recovering oil from theShetland/Lista reservoirs overlying Gullfaks, and Gullfaks B could host new deposits in the area.
Block 34/10 was awarded to Statoil, Norsk Hydro and Saga Petroleum in 1978, with Statoil as operator. Current co-licensees are Petoro and OMV Norge.
Final consent to the lifetime extension remains contingent on approval from the Petroleum Safety Authority.
08/26/2016
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