Aker Solutions secures more Johan Sverdrup work

Norwegian offshore engineering contractor Aker Solutions has been awarded an extension for maintenance and modification (M&M) work on the Johan Sverdrup field in the North Sea off Norway.

While announcing that it would continue to serve as the maintenance and modification services supplier on the Equinor-operated Johan Sverdrup field, Aker Solution explained on Friday that the extension was secured in accordance with an existing frame agreement that would last until February 2026.

According to the Norwegian player, the contract value for this extension is considered to be “sizeable.” The company defines a sizable contract as being between NOK 0.5 billion (nearly $50 million) and NOK 1.5 billion (almost $149 million).

Paal Eikeseth, executive vice president and head of Aker Solutions’ electrification, maintenance and modifications business, remarked: “Aker Solutions has already been deeply involved through all phases from early engineering through construction and project execution and hook-up and commissioning of this giant field. Continuity of personnel and systematic knowledge is essential to deliver the best and safest maintenance and modification services moving forward.”

The company delivered several offshore platforms for this field and since production started, the firm has been delivering M&M services under an existing agreement. This extension, given to “secure coordination and exploit the synergies in ongoing project activities,” will be managed from Stavanger with prefabrication done at the yard in Egersund, as outlined by the Norwegian contractor.

Located on Utsira High in the central part of the North Sea, in a water depth of 110-120 metres, Johan Sverdrup is the third-largest oil field on the Norwegian continental shelf, with estimated resources of 2.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent. This field – which was discovered in 2010 – has an estimated 50-year lifespan.

The plan for development and operation (PDO) of Phase I for this field was approved in 2015. The development solution for this phase includes a field centre with four specialised platforms: living quarters, process, drilling and riser facilities. The production from the field started in 2019. The PDO for Phase II was approved in 2019 and this development solution comprises a process platform and five subsea templates.

In March 2022, Aibel completed and delivered the second processing platform (P2) for the Johan Sverdrup project, which is the fifth and final platform for this field. This platform was installed using the Allseas-owned and world’s largest heavy-lift vessel, Pioneering Spirit, a few days later.

When it comes to Aker Solutions’ latest deals with other operators, it is worth noting that the Norwegian company won a seven-year extension with OKEA in March 2022 and a three-year one with ConocoPhillips in June 2022.