Judy Maksoud
International Editor

LISBON, Portugal -- The Ormen Lange project offshore Norway is one of the most challenging projects under development today. Trond Eklund of Hydro Oil & Gas discussed some of the project's subsea challenges at the 17th annual International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference in Lisbon on July 2.

Eklund gave an overview of the Ormen Lange project, noting that it is in 850 m (2,789 ft) water depth 120 km (75 mi) offshore Norway. The field, Eklund said, has 24 wells tied back via 30-in. (76.2-cm) lines to an onshore site at Nyhamna. "Ormen Lange is one of the world's largest gas projects ever," he said.

There are two subsea templates in place, Eklund said. "Just a few weeks ago, we got sanctioned for an additional template," he said, noting that the development plan calls for an eventual fourth template also.

Eklund talked about the challenges of working in the Norwegian offshore, including water depth, environmental conditions such as temperatures to -2º C (28.4º F), long-distance controls, and hydrate prevention.

Eklund discussed at length the methods employed in laying the 120 km (75 mi) of pipeline over difficult terrain. Dredging, plowing, and rock dumping have been extensive, he said, with 4.3 million metric tons (4.7 million tons) of rock placed subsea. "Volume and accuracy have been the main challenges," Eklund said. Soil conditions and subsea boulders have been particular obstacles.

Despite the many hurdles, the project is on schedule for first gas delivery later this year, Eklund said, stating that keeping the schedule has been a commendable achievement made possible by sufficient flexibility in the schedule.

7/2/2007