Offshore staff
LYSAKER, Norway – Aker BP estimates total capex this year for its various projects offshore Norway of around $1.3 billion.
These include the operatedÆrfugl, Valhall Flank West, and Skogul developments and the company’s share of the Johan Sverdrup development, all of which are progressing according to plan.
AtValhall in the southern North Sea, the P&A program has progressed ahead of plan, so during 4Q the rig will be re-allocated to production drilling. This has brought down the estimated abandonment cost from $350 million to $250 million.
Second quarter production from the Valhall area was 33.7 MMboe/d net to Aker BP, 2% down on the previous quarter. The first two wells of the 2018 campaign at the field’s IP platform have been successfully drilled, although start-up has been delayed to the current quarter due to issues with the drilling and stimulation operations.
The third IP well should be drilled by year-end.
As for new projects, Valhall Flank West is a further development of the Tor formation on the western flank of the Valhall field, due to start-up in 4Q 2019.
Production will come through a new normally unmanned installation (NUI), tied back to the Valhall field center for processing and export. Estimated investments are NOK5.5 billion ($674 million), with recoverable resources of around 60 MMboe.
Engineering of the topsides and jacket is approaching completion while the NUI cellar deck is under construction in Verdal, Norway.
Recently there was an offshore campaign to prepare the Valhall area for subsea installation activities in 2019 while modifications at the Valhall field center are making good progress.
Also new is the Valhall Flank North Water Injection project, designed to expand water injection capability to Valhall’s northern drainage area. By enabling water injection to existing depleted areas, Aker BP expects to increase recovery from the reservoir by 7.8 MMboe.
Drilling is due to start in 4Q, with water injection initiated next spring when the pipelines and risers have been installed. Total investment is around $100 million.
Subsea 7 is responsible for providing the flexible riser and pipeline, with Aker Solutions handling modifications on the Valhall North Flank NUI and on the Valhall field center.
This project is being organized and executed according to Aker BP’s alliance model, with construction of the wells assigned to Maersk Drilling.
Hod, a satellite field that also exports production to the Valhall field center, comprises the Hod West, Hod East, and Hod Saddle reservoir structures.
This was the first unmanned platform in the Norwegian North Sea, tied back to the field center through a 13-km (8.1-mi) flowline. Production started in 1990.
Under a new project, Aker BP aims to redevelop the field to recover the remaining 64 MMboe resources through a new 12-slot unmanned installation, as well as undertaking exploration and appraisal drilling that may include HP/HT wells and/or additional well slots.
The company also plans an appraisal well on Hod next year, followed by concept selection, most likely in 3Q 2019.
Elsewhere in this area, the company recently brought onstream two new wells on the Tambar field.
At Ivar Aasen, two new water injectors were completed this spring, and drilling has started of the Hanz appraisal well, which will additionally target the Slengfehøgda exploration prospect.
07/13/2018
