A contract worth some NOK 450 million to build the living quarters for the Gjøa platform in the North Sea has been awarded by operator Statoil to Leirvik Module Technology AS.
Covering a unit complete with helideck and lifeboat station, this engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) job will be executed at Stord south of Bergen.
The completed quarters module is to be installed on the platform at Aker Kvaerner’s nearby yard in Stord, which is the assembly site for hull and topsides of the Gjøa floater.
The contract is subject to approval of the plan for development and operation (PDO) of Gjøa by the Norwegian authorities.
“It’s gratifying that our activities create spin-offs for society and industry, and that local suppliers are competitive,” says Henning Dale, who is responsible for all field installations in the Gjøa project.
Embracing about 3,600 square metres of floor space, the quarters module will provide 100 single cabins with en suite facilities, as well as offices, control room, canteen and lounges.
This unit is scheduled for completion by 2009, and will be built in aluminium to give a total weight of 1,500 tonnes including helideck and lifeboat station.
Total investment in the Gjøa development is put at NOK 27 billion in 2006 money. Plans call for the field to come on stream in 2010.
Its reserves are estimated at roughly 40 billion standard cubic metres of gas and about 83 million barrels of oil and condensate (light oil).
Proven in 1989, Gjøa lies in blocks 35/9 and 36/7 about 70 kilometres north of Troll and 45 kilometres from the coast of mid-Norway.
Statoil has a 20% holding in the field and is development operator, while Gaz de France – with a 30% stake – will take over the operatorship when production begins.
The other licensees are Petoro with 30%, Shell with 12% and RWE Dea with 8%.