PSA approves manned subsea ops offshore Norway

Feb. 16, 2021
Norwegian agency issues consents for manned operations by Technip Norge and Subsea 7 Norway.

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway – The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has issued consents for manned operations in 2021 to be performed by Technip Norge and Subsea 7 Norway.

Equinor signed framework agreements with the two contractors, and via a pool arrangement, Gassco and Vår Energi will also be able to draw on the framework agreements.

In Vår Energi’s case, this applies to the company’s Balder and Ringhorne fields in the North Sea and Goliat in the Barents Sea.

Technip Norge’s parent company TechnipFMC may deploy the DSVs Deep Arctic and Deep Explorer and the light diving craft (LDC) Seahunter for its campaigns.

Subsea 7 can use the DSVs Seven Falcon and Seven Atlantic diving support vessels and the LDC Seven Spray.

The consents cover planned operations and undefined operational and project tasks that might be needed, and relate to the operators’ production licenses and pipeline systems, including pipelines under Norwegian jurisdiction on foreign continental shelves.

The framework agreements also cover repair readiness for subsea installations and pipelines. However, the PSA insists on prior warning if emergency situations arise that require manned underwater operations.

Aker BP has also signed a framework agreement with Subsea 7 for manned underwater operations using the Seven Falcon and Seven Atlantic diving support vessels.

2/16/2021