Production ship Petrojarl 1 is being converted at the Kværner yard in Stavanger. It is due to start producing the Statoil-operated Glitne field in the North Sea in July.
This will be the first time a Statoil field is operated by means of a contracted production ship.
Petrojarl 1, which is owned by Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), has been in use for 15 years, mainly on the UK continental shelf.
The ship has been thoroughly studied to accord with Norwegian regulations, according to Rolf Saltkjel, field installation manager.
The alterations cover overhauling of the hull, modifications to the process facilities and installation of new diesel generators which will help to reduce emissions in connection with energy production.
PGS, Kværner's client in the project, also has a contract with Stolt Offshore for installing pipeline and risers on the seabed.
As operator, Statoil is accountable to its partners and the authorities for ensuring that rules and regulations are adhered to.
PGS has chosen to retain the crew on board the ship. They are then able to survey work at the yard while learning to use the new equipment. In the production phase, they will have operational responsibility on board, with follow-up by a representative from Statoil.
In parallel with work at the shipyard, drilling of production wells and subsea construction work are being carried out on the field, which lies in block 15/5 in the Sleipner area.
Petrojarl 1 will be in place on Glitne in June and production is due to start one month later after hook-up work and testing of equipment have been completed.