The upgrades are said to be in keeping with the company’s focus on maintenance and modifications aimed at increased robustness of the facilities and improved oil and gas recovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
StatoilHydro noted that the most extensive turnaround is being conducted on the Norne floating, production, storage and offloading vessel in the Norwegian Sea. For the first time ever a swivel will be replaced offshore, according to the company.
The new swivel will contain two extra tubings, which is expected to increase the production capacity. Swivel replacement is deemed necessary in order to enable the Norne vessel to receive gas and condensate from the Alve field, scheduled to come on stream towards the end of 2008.
In addition, a high-voltage swivel will be installed. Considerable maintenance work and modifications will also be performed on the Statfjord-C and Snorre-A platforms as part of the Statfjord Late Life and Snorre redevelopment projects.
The Kvitebjorn and Kristin platforms will also be subject to capacity upgrading work. The expected production loss related to turnarounds on the NCS in 2008 is 10.4 million barrels of oil equivalent.
