The Oseberg field centre in the North Sea (Photo: Harald Pettersen)
This is a large-scale modification programme for the entire drilling system to maintain safe and effective drilling at the Oseberg field for many years to come. Both the drilling system and the system modules will be upgraded under the contract.
The project will drive considerable health, safety and environmental (HSE) improvements as well as improvements to the work environment on the platform. The upgrading will also secure future production revenues from the Oseberg field.
Morten Mikkelsen
"The new drilling plant enbles us to continue our drilling activity with improved HSE standards for many years to come," says Morten Mikkelsen, acting head of production on the Oseberg field.
"This is a very important initiative which allows the successful improved oil recovery efforts to continue on the Oseberg field.
Some of the important improvements resulting from the upgrading are:
- new remote-controlled valves for dry and wet substance systems
- remote-controlled monitoring and operation of all drilling processes from a new cabin
- new drilling control system
- new drawworks
- new HVAC plant (heating, ventilation, air condition)
- new pipe handling solution
- change from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) operation
The new system and the new equipment will reduce the risk of discharges and incorrect operation and will help increase drilling safety.
The project will run until the first quarter of 2013, when the new drilling plant on Oseberg B comes online.
The total investment framework for the project is some NOK 2.4 billion. The project is implemented under the direction of the Projects business area in Bergen. Hogne Fredriksen is StatoilHydro's project manager for the drilling upgrading programme.