PSA calls for improvements in North Sea Valhall intervention management

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway – Aker BP must address an irregularity of a well intervention method at the Valhall field in the North Sea, which came to light during a recent audit by Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA).

The technique involves use of coiled tubing and high-pressure pumping from vessel to well at the Valhall Flank West development.

The PSA’s audit, conducted during April and May, focused on activities in the planning, operational and stimulation phases, including pumping operations performed from vessels, and on how Aker BP and its alliance partners would identify and rectify risks linked to well control and potential hydrocarbon leaks.

One non-conformity came to light, concerning a deficient warning/notification of well incidents to the supervisory authority. The PSA also saw a need for improvement in training and the dissemination of risk assessments.

Aker BP must respond by Aug. 14, 2020.

07/07/2020