Aker BP brings North Sea field on stream

Norwegian oil and gas company Aker BP has kicked off production from a field in the North Sea off Norway, after fast-tracking the development to achieve the first oil only 18 months after the plan for development and operation (PDO) was submitted.

Back in September 2021, Aker BP submitted a PDO for the Frosk field located approximately 25 km southwest of the FPSO Alvheim in the North Sea off Norway to the country’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. As explained at the time, the development would contribute to production and reduce unit costs in the Alvheim area by utilising the existing infrastructure.

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy approved the PDO for the field in July 2022 and the development was expected to be tied back to the FPSO Alvheim via the existing Bøyla and Alvheim subsea infrastructure.

In an update on Tuesday, 14 March 2023, Aker BP disclosed that the Frosk field development in the Alvheim area was completed while the production started on schedule and within budget. The Frosk field is tied back to the FPSO Alvheim in the North Sea via existing subsea infrastructure and utilises existing capacity in the processing facilities with only a marginal increase in power consumption and CO2 emissions. 

Karl Johnny Hersvik, CEO of Aker BP, remarked: “The Frosk project has been delivered with high quality, on time and within budget by Aker BP’s project team in close cooperation with our suppliers. This is a great example of what we can achieve with the alliance model, working as one team with our suppliers towards a common goal with shared incentives.

“Frosk is also an excellent illustration of how we can increase the value of our existing fields through higher production and lifetime extensions as well as reduced unit costs and emissions intensity.”

Furthermore, the Frosk project has been delivered within the initial investment estimate of around NOK 2 billion (approximately $230 million). The recoverable reserves at the field are estimated at around 10 million barrels of oil equivalents (mmboe).

Aker BP highlights that the Alvheim area is among the most efficient assets on the Norwegian continental shelf, and the resource base has multiplied since start-up, as the result of targeted exploration and reservoir development, technological innovation and not least the unique collaboration with key suppliers under the firm’s alliance model. 

The Norwegian player outlines that Alvheim benefits from continuity on rigs, vessels, facilities and personnel through the alliance model, which allows for the transfer of learnings and continuous improvement in methods and technology from one project to the next.

Moreover, Aker BP highlights that Frosk is the first of three new subsea tie-back projects to the FPSO Alvheim, with Kobra East & Gekko planned to come on stream in early 2024 and Tyrving expected on stream in 2025. Aker BP is the operator of Frosk while Vår Energi is the firm’s partner.