Norway: Aibel Gets Contract Extension from Statoil for Norne Vessel

June 19, 2012

Aibel is to carry out even more work on the Norne vessel in connection with the fast-track development of the Skuld field. Statoil has exercised several options in the contract at a total value for Aibel of around NOK 150 million (approx USD 25.1 Mln).

“The contract will be extended by eleven months and 100,000 man hours. Now it will expire in 2013,” says Jan Skogseth, President and CEO of Aibel AS.

It was in April last year that Aibel won a contract with Statoil for major modifications to the Norne vessel worth NOK 230 million (approx USD 38.5 Mln). The contract involves making the required upgrades to Norne in order for the vessel to receive oil and gas from the Skuld field (formerly Fossekall and Dompap).

The largest fast-track development

The upgrade and installation work on Norne is already under way. Through the options, Aibel will also carry out further engineering work, prefabrication, purchasing and installation. Hook up of the equipment will be carried out during the planned turnaround in August 2013.

It is Aibel in Stjørdal that is in charge of the project, with engineering assistance from Singapore. Prefabrication will be done at Aibel’s yard in Haugesund and the installation work will be completed in collaboration with Aibel’s Harstad office, which is in charge of the day-to-day maintenance and modification work on the Norne vessel. At the most, more than 200 Aibel employees will be involved in the Skuld project.

“Skuld is one of the developments in Statoil’s fast-track portfolio on the Norwegian continental shelf. The project requires major modifications to Norne, and will contribute to extending the vessel’s lifespan. It is exciting for us to participate in such an important and extensive project,” says Skogseth.

Skuld is the fifth of Statoil’s fast-track developments. Plans for development and operation (PDO) were submitted to the authorities in January. Production is planned to start at the turn of the year 2012/2013.

(1 Norwegian krone = 0.167527 U.S. dollars)

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Source: aibel, June 19, 2012; Image: Fjærli/Statoil