A contract between TotalFinaElf Norge and Heerema Marine Contractors covers the decommissioning of the Frøy platform, the Lille Frigg templates, the East Frigg template, and some minor work on the Frigg Field.
TotalFinaElf Norge and Heerema Marine Contractors are joining forces to decommission the Frøy platform, the Lille Frigg templates, the East Frigg template and some minor work on the Frigg Field. The contract covers the decommissioning of the facilities, Heerema's marketing for re-use and the dismantling of the remaining items, all under the responsibility of one main contractor.
This will allow a phased program to maximize the time available for selecting the best available option. The three Lille Frigg subsea templates and the East Frigg Template will be removed from the offshore location in the second quarter of 2001. The Frøy decks and jacket will be removed in 2002, subject to approval by the Norwegian authorities.
The Frøyplatform and Lille Frigg templates are high-specifications facilities. They were built and operated under Norwegian regulations. The facilities' design life extends the seven years of operations by some 15 years, allowing a second life for production of up to 65,000 b/d, anywhere in the world.
Marketing facilities
Heerema contracted Valiant Industries/ WEB Platform Brokers to contract with interested parties for the facilities. Valiant and Platform will use digital information media, such as 360 degree photographic bubble views, which allow inspection of the facilities on a PC, and full documentation, such as process flow diagrams, plot-plans, and maintenance records.
The involved companies will provide pros-pective buyers with full support services, which may include engineering, modification and refurbishment work, transport and re-installation and commissioning.
"This is a unique contract in our industry as it extends our own considerable efforts to find a future re-use for these first class facilities beyond decommissioning. The combined competence of the removal contractor, the international brokers, and certified dismantling fac- ilities will maximize the option to put these installations to use elsewhere, with a minimum negative effect on our environment." Roman A. Gozalo, Managing Director of TotalFinaElf Norge, said.
After a predetermined period for the marketing campaign, the contract includes the option for bringing the structures onshore at the ABB/Umoe and Able UK sites for dismantling. The major components will then be available for sale individually.
History of fields
Production on Frøy will cease at the end of 2000 and an application for removal has been submitted to the Norwegian Authorities. Frøy field was developed in 1995 with a stand alone, unmanned wellhead platform with a capacity for 15 wells, in 120 meters water depth. The hydrocarbons are taken through a first stage separator on the platform and then exported to a dedicated production module located on TCP 2 on the Frigg field. Here, further separation takes place in a dedicated production module (M35) and the products are exported through the Frigg systems.
Water injection facilities are also located on TCP 2 and piped back to the Frøy platform for injection in the reservoir. The platform complies with the current Norwegian regulations and has some 15 years of residual life remaining.
A possible sale or disposal of Frøy is subject to the Norwegian Parliament approving the Frøy disposal plan. Production on Lille Frigg ceased in early 2000. Permission to remove these templates has been granted by the Norwegian authorities.
Production of the Lille Frigg field commenced in 1994 as a subsea development, using two single-well, over-trawlable templates and one template combining a well with the manifold. The manifold has been designed to handle up to five wells. All hydrocarbons are exported to Frigg, where a dedicated production and control module treats the fluids and controls the templates.
The East Frigg was taken in production in 1988 and ceased production in 1999. Five christmas trees were removed earlier this year.
