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    Construction starts for unmanned North Sea Munin platform

    Nov. 3, 2023
    First steel has been cut in Thailand for the Munin platform for Aker BP’s Yggdrasil development in the Norwegian North Sea.
    Courtesy Ake
    Aker Bp Yggdrasil Munin 654451cc3cea0

    Offshore staff

    LYSAKER, Norway — First steel has been cut in Thailand for the Munin platform for Aker BP’s Yggdrasil development in the Norwegian North Sea.

    The remotely operated, unmanned gas production facility will be located in the north of the multi-field Yggdrasil area and will be the first of its type of the Norwegian shelf, Aker BP said.

    Partner Equinor developed the Munin concept. Aibel is responsible for engineering, procurement, construction, assembly and commissioning.

    “Through Munin, Aibel is contributing a new bar for offshore developments, said the company’s project manager Erling Landsværk. “Munin is being built without a helicopter deck, living quarters and lifeboats. Access and visits will be accomplished through support vessels. Our priorities have been safety incorporated in the design, minimal maintenance requirements and streamlining of platform systems and functions to avoid manual operations.”

    Aibel’s subcontractor Deeline cut the first steel at its fabrication shop, which will deliver the steel structures for assembly into larger sections and modules at Aibel Thailand in Laem Chabang.

    The completed Munin topsides will weigh more than 8,000 metric tons and will measure 62 m by 42 m and with an overall height of 35 m. Aibel’s NOK 7 billion ($627 million) contract will provide work for about 2,000 people at Asker and Haugesund in Norway and Thailand. 

    The yard in Thailand will supply the utility module, stair tower, flare boom and deck sections for the process module, with assembly and outfitting taking place in Haugesund following shipments to Norway. The first dispatch should set sail within a year.

    Once the project is completed (the target is 2027), the Munin platform will be one of three new installations in the Yggrasil area, which covers the offshore the Hugin, Fulla and Munin license groups in between the Alvheim and Oseberg field centers.

    Aker BP and its partners Equinor and PgNiG Upstream Norway aim to recover about 700 MMboe. Other planned new infrastructure will include power from shore, nine subsea templates, pipelines and umbilicals, and 55 wells.

    The entire Yggdrasil area will be remotely controlled from an integrated operations center and control room in Stavanger.

    11.02.2023