Yggdrasil features extensive use of automation and digitalization, with control and monitoring of operations to be conducted largely from shore, and either a limited staff or no staff at the offshore production facilities.

Aker BP also plans to deploy robots that can be remotely controlled from shore, with certain robots gradually assuming inspection duties such as detecting gas leaks, heat generation and other abnormal conditions.

The company will also install fully electric cranes that can be remotely controlled from shore. In this case, during normal operations, AI models will provide information to the crane operator to help detect and manage incidents.

Last year, Havtil sent a guidance letter to Norwegian E&P companies explaining how the regulations may apply with regard to AI.

At Yggdrasil, the audit team identified two non-conformities concerning technology qualification and risk management/risk understanding related to the planned use of robots.

Aker BP must revert with planned action for addressing these concerns by Nov. 15.

In a separate 2026 assessment of AI in the petroleum industry, Havtil found that many companies need to improve oversight, competence and risk management related to AI systems. The findings echo the regulator's focus on ensuring new technologies are properly qualified and understood before being applied in offshore operations.