Offshore staff
FORNEBU, Norway – Aker BP has awarded Aker Solutions front-end engineering and design (FEED) contracts for two field development projects in the southern Norwegian North Sea.
The work for the Valhall oil field and the King Lear gas/condensate discovery, to be conducted under Aker BP’s Fixed FEED Alliance, covers a new central process and wellhead platform (NCP) that will be bridge-linked to the existing Valhall field center, and an unmanned wellhead platform for King Lear.
Aker Solutions could secure further contracts if both projects progress to the execution phase in 2022, subject to a final investment decision and regulatory approvals.
For the NCP, Aker BP plans a topsides weighing close to 12,000 metric tons (13,228 tons), supported by a 7,500-metric ton (8,267-ton) steel jacket and a bridge weighing more than 1,000 metric tons (1,102 tons).
The facility will serve as the new central hub and production platform on Valhall field, allowing the company to add 19 new wells, with increased production and processing capacity, and replacing existing infrastructure.
King Lear’s platform will comprise a near 2,500-metric ton (2,756-ton) topsides and 3,000-metric ton (3,307-ton) steel jacket, with production tied back to the Valhall field center for processing and export.
In addition, Aker Solutions will work on the FEED for the modifications at the Valhall field center and the subsea connection of the new King Lear facilities, including the umbilicals and related infrastructure.
Ine Dolve, vice president Operations & Asset Development for Aker BP, said the development would allow the company to secure continued high production from the Valhall field center and the flank platforms in the area after 2028…
“Aker BP is planning pre-investments for extra well space on both installations and secure flexibility to tie in of new discoveries as there is still additional upside potential in the area.”
Other FEED contracts went to ABB, as part of the Fixed Facilities Alliance, for the electrical, instrument, control systems and telecom packages for NCP and King Lear; and to Subsea 7 for the risers and pipelines.
“The ambition is to produce a total of 2 Bbbl from the Valhall area,” said Aker BP Valhall asset manager Ole Johan Molvig.
“A comprehensive modernization of the area is under way, with the tie-in of new flank platforms, removal of old installations and permanent plugging of wells.
“Together with NCP and King Lear, this will enable us to operate Valhall up to around 2060,” concludes Valhall Asset Manager Ole Johan Molvig.
Since 2013, Valhall has been operated with electricity from shore, and the new platforms will be electrified via the existing Valhall power cable and a further extension to King Lear.
Aker Solutions’ offices in Fornebu and Stavanger, Norway, and Mumbai, India, will handle the various FEED studies.
Valhall currently features five operational platforms and around 50 active wells, in water depths of 70 m (229 ft). King Lear is 50 km (31 mi) to the north in similar water depths.
12/13/2021
