Eni stops Goliat output again

Eni Norge, a Norwegian subsidiary of the Italian oil company Eni, has halted output from its Goliat field in the Barents Sea, off Norway. 

According to a Thursday report by the Norwegian news website Teknisk Ukeblad (TU), the output was halted on the night of December 26 after a routine inspection discovered damage on an offloading hose. Production was then stopped since oil could not be unloaded and transported onshore.

The Norwegian website also said the company made plans to repair the damage but the efforts are dependent on the weather. However, the weather prognosis for the next few days is unstable.

Offshore Energy Today reached out to the Italian company seeking confirmation and inquiring about the possible restart date. The company’s spokesperson confirmed the offloading hose was damaged but caused no leaks or spills.

The spokesperson also added: “Eni Norge has decided, in collaboration with its suppliers to repair the hose and meanwhile not use it. The repair will be conducted as soon as bad weather conditions, affecting operations on several parts of the Norwegian continental shelf, permit work to be carried out. Production will be closed until repairs have been completed.”

Back in August, Eni was also forced to stop the output from the Goliat field after a power outage. The field is supplied with hydro-generated electricity from the mainland by means of a subsea cable. The production resumed a month later.

The Goliat field is located in PL 229 in the south west Barents Sea, 80 km north-west of Hammerfest, Northern Norway. Production from the field started on March 12, 2016. Eni Norge is operator of the field, with 65 pct interest, and Statoil is its partner, with 35 pct interest.

The article has been updated with a statement from Eni. 

Offshore Energy Today Staff