By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Feb. 9�Statoil has delayed production from Smørbukk in the Åsgard field in the Norwegian Sea because it found weaknesses in 80 welds on hubs that connect gas pipelines.
The lines affected were those from Midgard and Smørbukk to Åsgard B platform. Midgard, Smørbukk, and Smørbukk South were unitized into Åsgard field in 1995.
The weaknesses were found while Smørbukk was being readied for production startup.
ABB Vetco Gray, part of the ABB Lummus Global Group, supplied the hubs. The ABB unit estimates it will take 6-8 weeks to get equipment to the field to start repairs.
Work will first begin on valves on the Midgard lines, 400 m from the Åsgard B platform.
Statoil said no similar tendencies were found on the pipelines running to Åsgard A.
The company said the work will not affect gas customers on the European continent. When Åsgard field is unable to produce contractual gas volumes due to repairs, other Norwegian Continental Shelf fields will supply the required volumes.
Statoil operates the 65.7 billion Norwegian kroner Åsgard project with 13.55%. The state's direct financial interest (SDFI) holds 46.95%; Norsk Hydro AS, 9.60%; Agip SPA, 7.90%; TotalFinaElf SA, 7.65%; ExxonMobil Corp., 7.35%; and Fortum Oil & Gas AS, 7%.
