Aker BP has begun production at the Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Orn fields in the Norwegian Sea via subsea connections to the Skarv field. The three assets are part of the Skarv Satellite Project and represent approximately 120 million barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources.
Aker BP begins production at three fields in Skarv
According to the company, production from these fields will have a significant impact on operations Aker BP in the Skarv area over the next few years. Furthermore, the development expands the available resource base around an infrastructure that has been operational since 2012. The project aims to help sustain Skarv’s production until 2040 by leveraging nearby discoveries and utilizing existing facilities.
Submarine infrastructure connected to the FPSO Skarv
Each of the three fields has an underwater rig and two wells, these systems are connected to the floating vessel Skarv production, storage, and offloading are facilitated by subsea infrastructure. This configuration allows for the incorporation of new resources without developing separate production facilities for each field. The connection model, known in the industry as a subsea tie-back, leverages existing capacity and reduces the amount of additional surface infrastructure required.
Aker BP also reported that the Skarv Satellite Project was completed a year ahead of schedule, the project was carried out under a partnership model with OneSubsea, Subsea7, Aker Solutions, and Halliburton. Saipem participated during the drilling phase. Aker BP further indicated that approximately 60 % of the supplies used in the project came from Norwegian suppliers, generating economic activity related to development in the region.
Aker BP completes approved subsea projects in 2022
Aker BP CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik noted that the commissioning of the Skarv Satellite Project completes the portfolio of subsea connections approved by the company in 2022. The start-up of Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Orn reinforces a strategy focused on incorporating new resources using existing production facilities. In the case of Skarv, this approach allows for extending activity around the FPSO and increasing the utilization of upcoming discoveries.
At Alve Nord, corresponding to production license PL127C, Aker BP holds an operating interest of 58.1 %, Harbour Energy controls 20 %, ORLEN 11.9 %, and Japan Petroleum Exploration 10 %. Idun Nord, meanwhile, is part of license PL159D. Aker BP maintains an operating interest there of 23.8 %, while Harbour Energy owns 40 % and Equinor 36.2 %. The information provided also attributes an 11.9 % interest to ORLEN. At Orn, included in license PL942, Aker BP holds 30 %, ORLEN 40 %, and Equinor another 30 %.
Slagugle expands the potential of Aker BP near Skarv
The satellites’ entry into production coincides with new moves by Aker BP around Skarv, the company recently announced an agreement with ConocoPhillips to acquire a 51 % operating stake in the Slagugle area in the Norwegian Sea. Three wells drilled between 2020 and 2025 one discovery well and two appraisal wells have yielded an estimated 50 million gross barrels of recoverable oil in the main Slagugle formation.
The area is located approximately 20 kilometers north of the Heidrun field and about 270 kilometers north of Kristiansund. Aker BP has indicated that a partially matured subsea development concept exists, along with preliminary plans for further exploration. The goal is to increase the resource base before evaluating potential development.
With the new fields already in production and Slagugle within its regional strategy, Aker BP reinforces Skarv’s role as a hub for future subsea connections in the Norwegian Sea.
Source: Rigzone
Photo: Shutterstock
