More North Sea Alvheim area tiebacks close to sanction

April 29, 2021
Aker BP and its partners could take investment decisions on three new projects in the North Sea.

Offshore staff

LYSAKER, NorwayAker BP and its partners could take investment decisions on three new projects in the North Sea, the company revealed in its latest results statement.

Two are tiebacks in the Alvheim area in the northern Norwegian Sea, Kobra East Gekko and Frosk. In addition, subsea/tie-in studies are under way for the Trell and Trine development, and single lateral-side track/dual lateral wells are planned for the Volund and Kameleon Infill West accumulations.

To offset declining production through the Ivar Aasen field center, the Hanz tie-in project will likely be sanctioned this summer following a revised development concept. In addition, a recently contracted rig will drill two wells on Ivar Aasen.

In the southern Norwegian North Sea, the jackup Maersk Intergrator has moved to Aker BP’s Ula field center to drill an infill well after completing another well earlier at the Tambar satellite.

Ærfugl Phase 2 in the Norwegian Sea, a subsea tieback through the Skarv FPSO, is progressing with both production wells recently completed. Topsides modifications continue, with first production expected this fall.

Drilling for the Gråsel development will begin during the current quarter followed by first oil in 4Q 2021.

At Johan Sverdrup in the North Sea, operated by Equinor, process capacity will increase to 535,000 b/d by mid-year, with the field’s 13th oil production well going onstream in late March.

As for the Phase 2 development, the largest of three modules for the second processing platform, the Main Support Frame, sailed from Thailand in early April.

All three modules are due to be integrated in May before hook-up and commissioning at Aibel’s construction site in Haugesund, with offshore installation at the Sverdrup field center planned for the first half of 2022.

The jacket, built by Aker Solutions in Verdal, is due to be installed offshore in June.

04/29/2021