Aker Solutions secured a contract from Statoil to provide maintenance and modifications services for the Mariner oilfield development in the UK North Sea.
The five-year framework agreement also has extension options for a total of four years. Aker Solutions’ Aberdeen operations will manage the contract work.
“Mariner is the largest new offshore development in the UK in more than a decade and will lead to substantial job creation in the Aberdeen region,” said David Currie , regional president for Aker Solutions in the UK.
“We are delighted to take part in this important development and to build on our strong partnership with Statoil.”
Aker Solutions will deliver the maintenance planning system in the pre-operations phase of the development, as well as support services during the hook-up and commissioning phase. The contract includes maintenance and modifications services after the field is set to start production in 2017.
“We want to build long-term, high-performance relationships with our key suppliers,” said Gunnar Breivik , managing director of Statoil Production (U.K.) Limited in Aberdeen.
“We know Aker Solutions well from the Norwegian continental shelf and are looking forward to working closely with its UK organization in the years to come.”
The Mariner heavy oil field, discovered in 1981, is located on the East Shetland platform of the UK North Sea about 150 kilometers east of the Shetland Isles. Both parties agreed not to disclose the contract value.
Stork deal
Furthermore, Statoil has awarded the offshore services contract to Stork Technical Services Limited, also based in the UK. Stork will start services in January 2015, also under a five-year term. Both contracts include two 2-year extension options.
Stork will deliver a combination of services, including scaffolding, installation, painting, welding and logistics support during the hook-up and commissioning phase, followed by the operations phase from 2017 onwards, as well as planning support starting in January 2015.
The Mariner project entails investments of more than GBP 4.5 billion. The field is expected to produce for at least 30 years. The average production is estimated at around 55,000 barrels of oil per day over the plateau period. The development plan includes a production, drilling and quarters (PDQ) platform based on a steel jacket, with a floating storage unit (FSU).
Statoil is the operator of Mariner with 65.11% equity. Other partners include JX Nippon Exploration and Production (U.K.) Limited (28.89%) and Dyas UK Ltd. (6%).