Norwegian Oil and Gas Player Aker BP Hits Milestone with Offshore Platform Installation

Norwegian oil and gas player Aker BP has achieved a significant milestone in its offshore operations by successfully installing a new jacket at an oil and gas development project in the North Sea, off the coast of Norway.

The installation of the jacket, carried out by Heerema Marine Contractors using the Sleipnir vessel, marks a crucial step forward for the Yggdrasil project. The 22,000-tonne Hugin A steel structure was launched into the sea from a barge and upended by Heerema’s largest semi-submersible crane vessel, landing it in its designated position.

Aker BP’s next phase involves securing the jacket with 20 360-tonne piles. With the successful installation of the Hugin A jacket, the operator is on track to commence drilling production wells in the Hugin license area post-summer.

Drilling Operations and Partnerships

The drilling of these wells will be carried out using the Noble Integrator jack-up rig, capable of operating in water depths of up to 492 feet and drilling depths of 40,000 feet. Aker BP has entered drilling and wells alliance agreements with Noble Corporation, Odfjell Drilling, and Halliburton for activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Yggdrasil Project Overview

Construction activities for the Yggdrasil project began in September 2023, with the cutting ceremony for the first steel plates for Hugin A at Aker Solutions’ yard. The project, valued at over $10.3 billion, covers the Hugin, Fulla, and Munin license groups in the North Sea, with Equinor and PGNIG Upstream Norway as Aker BP’s partners.

The Yggdrasil development includes the Hugin A production platform, an unmanned platform Hugin B, and the Munin topside, all aimed at tapping into over 700 million barrels of oil equivalent resources. New infrastructure, including platforms, subsea templates, pipelines, and power from shore, will enable remote operations from an onshore facility in Stavanger.

Valhall Project Progress

In addition to the Yggdrasil project, Aker BP is making strides in the Valhall project by moving the utility module for the Valhall PWP platform. This module, weighing approximately 4,800 tonnes and standing 55 meters tall, will play a crucial role in extending the operational lifetime of the Valhall field.

With these developments, Aker BP continues to strengthen its presence in the Norwegian offshore sector, showcasing its commitment to innovation and sustainable energy production.