Shell gets go-ahead for new Draugen oil loading system

Sept. 17, 2012
Petroleum Safety Authority Norway has approved use of a new subsea loading system for crude oil on the Draugen field in the Norwegian Sea.

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway – Petroleum Safety Authority Norway has approved use of a new subsea loading system for crude oil on the Draugen field in the Norwegian Sea. Installation and commissioning is planned for this fall.

During commissioning, the existing loading buoy (FLP) will stay in operation to maintain oil production on Draugen and to ensure that start-up of the new system is implemented safely.

Norske Shell operates Draugen field, which was discovered in 1984 in 250 m (820 ft) water depth. Production started in October 1993.

The field has been developed with a concrete platform with integrated topsides. Stabilized oil is stored in tanks at the bottom of the facility from where two pipelines run to a floating loading buoy.

9/17/2012