The Valhall Flank West topsides were installed on the Valhall field on 22 June, 14 months after the first steel was cut at Kværner’s yard in Verdal. Both the topsides and the jacket were delivered ahead of schedule, under budget, and with no serious injuries.
Aker BP is the operator of the Valhall Flank Vest with Pandion Energy as partner. The platform is the first to be delivered under the wellhead platform alliance between Aker BP, Aker Solutions, Kværner, and ABB. It sailed from Kværner in Verdal on 16 June and arrived at the field with no carry-over work from the yard.
“This is probably the most complete platform ever installed in the North Sea. All planned construction work is complete and just 7% of the commissioning phase remains. I am truly impressed by the job the alliance has done here,” said Aker BP’s CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik.
Heerema’s Thialf lifting vessel placed the 2000-tonne topsides on the jacket on the evening of 20 June; the entire operation was complete on the morning of 22 June.
The critical hookup work starts almost immediately. Initially, crews will be transported to the platform using vessels. The Maersk Invincible jackup rig is expected to arrive at the field sometime next week. It will drill six wells as part of the project and function as a living quarters platform in the hook-up and commissioning phase.
Valhall has produced one billion barrels since the field opened in 1982. The ambition is to produce another billion barrels during the next 40 years.
“Valhall Flank West is an important contribution to ensure that we achieve our ambition. The field can contribute around 60 million barrels of oil equivalents to Valhall’s production. The West Flank has capacity for another six wells, and we are now looking into the possibility of more wells and increased value creation from the field,” said Per Mikal Hauge, Valhall asset manager.
Aker BP is investing NOK 5.5 billion in Valhall Flank West. The breakeven price for the development is $28.50/bbl.