Offshore staff
TRONDHEIM -- Det norske oljeselskap has signed a framework agreement with Norse Cutting & Abandonment (NSA) Norway for wellhead cutting and removal operations at sea.
Last November, Det norske became the first operator on the Norwegian shelf to use boats instead of a rig for cutting and removal of an exploration wellhead, when it extracted and cut the Trolla wellhead in 270 m (885 ft) water depth.
The agreement with NCA lasts for three years, with an option for a further two years. Det norske’s Drilling Director Anton Tronstad says: “This allows us to release the rigs earlier so they faster can do what they are built for, namely drilling wells. It reduces the costs for this part of the operation since it is done with a vessel which has far lower daily costs than a rig.”
After completing drilling of an exploration well for Det norske, the designated rig will secure the well in accordance with Petroleum Safety Authority Norway regulations, including a trawl protection installed over the wellhead. Removal of wellheads will be performed in campaigns once or twice a year. Other operators will also be invited to participate in these campaigns
NCA will be responsible for project management, engineering, and offshore implementation of the work, in cooperation with Det norske. Wellheads will be cut by a patented method based on high pressure water cutting. DOF Subsea Norway will act as vessel subcontractor, using the vessels Geoholm, Geosund, and Skandi Bergen.
3/3/2010
