Offshore staff
LYSAKER, Norway – Aker BP and license partners Equinor and Spirit Energy have affirmed the investment decision (DG3) for development of the Hanz oil and gas discovery in the Norwegian North Sea.
Located in license 028 B, Hanz will be tied into the Ivar Aasen platform about 12 km (7.5 mi) to the south.
Total investments are estimated at NOK 3.3 billion ($364 million). Start-up is expected in the first half of 2024. Total reserves are about 20 MMboe.
Development and operation of the Ivar Aasen field, including Hanz, was subject to a full impact assessment in 2012. The concept for development of Hanz was also described in the plan for development and operation (PDO) for the Ivar Aasen field.
Ine Dolve, senior vice president Operations & Asset Development in Aker BP, said: “Over the last few years, we have matured an optimized development solution, in part through re-use of subsea production systems from the Jette field. This development solution will be more cost-efficient and have a smaller environmental footprint than the original concept that was described when the PDO was first delivered.”
In addition to reusing existing infrastructure, the strategy for how the oil and gas is to be recovered has changed to include use of a cross-stream well for water injection. According to Aker BP, this results in a substantial reduction of power consumption, less use of chemicals, and less equipment on the seabed.
The change in the development solution for Hanz since the PDO was submitted means that the partnership will send a formal statement regarding the investment decision and the selected concept to the authorities, the company said.
The Ivar Aasen field is on the Utsira High in the northern North Sea, around 175 km (109 mi) west of Karmøy. The field was discovered in 2008, and was joined with other discoveries in the area, including Hanz, which was proven in 1997. First oil was produced on Dec. 24, 2016.
Ivar Aasen receives power from the Edvard Grieg platform 10 km (6.2 mi) to the southeast. From 2022, the field will receive power from shore via the Johan Sverdrup field, thereby minimizing CO2 emissions.
12/15/2021
