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Aker BP ASA has begun construction for the production and wellhead platform (PWP) of the Valhall field life extension project on the Norwegian North Sea.
“This week, Worley Rosenberg, Aker Solutions and Aker BP marked the first steel cut for the utility module for the new platform at the Valhall field center, PWP”, Aker BP said in a press release January 4.
The Valhall PWP-Fenris extension project is being delivered by the Fixed Facilities Alliance between Aker BP, Aker Solutions ASA and ABB AS. Rosenberg Worley AS has been contracted by Aker Solutions on behalf of the alliance, Aker BP said.
The project also involves PGNiG Norway AS as Aker BP’s co-licensee for the Fenris field. The Aker ASA-BP PLC company holds a 77.8 percent stake in Fenris while PGNiG holds the remaining 22.2 percent.
Pandion Energy AS meanwhile is Aker BP’s 10 percent partner for the Valhall field.
Extending the productive life of Valhall beyond 2028, the development plan involves tying back Fenris to the Valhall PWP, according to Aker BP.
With a planned production of 137 million barrels of oil equivalent, the project is expected to go onstream 2027, based on information on Aker BP’s website.
“The development is proceeding according to plan”, Aker BP vice-president for projects Rannveig Storebo said in last week’s announcement. “We’re actually starting the construction work here at Rosenberg Worley a month ahead of plan, thanks to good engineering work and deliveries by everyone involved”.
Aker BP calls the life extension project one of Norway’s largest development projects over the next few years. It has about NOK 50 billion ($4.83 billion) in total investments, according to Aker BP.
“This development highlights the fact that Valhall will continue to deliver revenues to the broader Norwegian society for several decades to come. And is a proof that we’re delivering on the ambition of producing two billion barrels of oil equivalents from the Valhall area over its life span,” Storebo added.
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Aker BP has highlighted the ripple effect of its North Sea projects on the local economy and job creation. For the Valhall-Fenris project alone “several hundred” Norwegian suppliers are involved, it said.
For the PWP construction, over 1,000 people have been hired, according to last week’s announcement.
“This contract secures activity in Norway and in the Stavanger region”, Aker BP senior vice-president for projects Knut Sandvik said. “We made a very deliberate choice in picking a solid Norwegian yard to deliver the utility module, to secure jobs and expertise in the industry in Norway for the period before the foreseen wave of projects within renewables”.