Offshore staff
LYSAKER, Norway — Aker BP and Wintershall Dea have agreed to exchange license interests in the area around the Skarv production complex in the Norwegian Sea.
Subject to approval from the Norwegian authorities, Aker BP will receive a 15% stake in the cretaceous section of license PL211, which includes Wintershall Dea’s Dvalin Nord gas discovery.
In return, Wintershall Dea would take a 20% position in PL127C, which includes the Alve Nord discovery, and 10% interest in PL941 where two exploration wells are planned this year on the Newt and Barlindåsen prospects.
Aker BP revealed the transaction in its latest review of its operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, which include those of the recently acquired Lundin Norway.
At Skarv, second-quarter output rose to 38.9 MMboe/d as a result of production efficiency measures and increased gas export capacity following a compressor software update. The gas blowdown phase, which started late in 2021, provided a further boost to production.
Drilling on the Idun Tunge tie-in project should start in the current quarter with startup expected in the fourth quarter. The Skarv Satellite Projects (Ørn, Shrek, Idun Nord and Alve Nord) are also progressing, and the company expects to submit a plan for development and operation (PDO) in late 2022.
Next year Aker BP plans further delineation of its recent 25 MMboe to 80 MMboe recoverable Storjo discovery in PL 261 close to Skarv.
In the Alvheim Area of the North Sea, where numerous tie-in projects to the Alvheim FPSO/subsea infrastructure are underway, drilling of the two Frosk development wells should start shortly, followed by a subsea tieback campaign and first production start early next year.
As for the ongoing Kobra East & Gekko (KEG) development, installation of the pipeline and static umbilical began this month. A PDO should be submitted later this summer for the Trell and Trine (T&T) project, with commitments in place to secure a vessel and materials for next year’s planned pipelay campaign. The T&T wells be drilled in direct continuation of the KEG drilling, with first oil scheduled for first-quarter 2025.
At the Ivar Aasen Field in the North Sea, this year’s IOR drilling campaign, comprising three new wells, is in the detailed planning phase with Maersk Invincible expected to arrive toward the end of September.
Production from the Hanz Field tieback should start in first-quarter 2024, while the concept selection for Lille Prinsen, discovered by Lundin, has secured internal approval, with the final investment decision set to follow by year-end.
In the southern North Sea, Maersk Invincible drilled an additional infill well on Valhall Flank West, and this will be stimulated and put on production in the current quarter. It marks the completion of the rig’s five-year drilling and P&A operations contract at the Valhall Field complex.
The Maersk Integrator rig will continue to support stimulation and intervention activity.
Planning continues for the joint Valhall NCP (New Central Platform) and King Lear field development, with new slots to be added for further development of the Valhall Area and to enable the tie-in of production from King Lear. The PDO should be submitted by year-end 2022.
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway has authorized Aker BP’s request for a life extension of the Tambar Field in production license 065, with operation of Tambar and associated pipelines and power cable now continuing through Jan. 1, 2029, coinciding with the expiry of production licenses 065, 300 and 019G applicable to Tambar and Tambar Øst.
Tambar, discovered in 1983, is 16 km southeast of the Ula Field in 68-m water depth. It has been developed via a remotely controlled wellhead facility without processing equipment tied back to the Ula complex. Production started in 2001.
Finally, Aker BP has completed the offshore scope of its planned Ula Power Project.
07.28.2022
