Aker BP’s Hod platform set for installation in North Sea

The topside of the normally unmanned wellhead platform for the Hod field is transported today from Aker Solutions’ yard in Verdal to the Aker BP-operated field in the North Sea off Norway.

This is the second project for the Fixed Facilities Alliance, which was established in the spring of 2017.

According to Aker Solutions’ statement on Wednesday, Hod B has been an important project that was initiated only hours after the temporary changes to the tax system for the oil and gas industry received a broad majority in the Storting in June last year. The project prefabrication started at the yard in Verdal just hours after the agreement was made.

This is the second project delivered by Aker BP’s alliance for the delivery of fixed platforms. The customer Aker BP and the main suppliers Aker Solutions and ABB have worked in a joint organization, thereby reducing a lot of time and costs compared to a traditional model where the customer and supplier have separate roles and responsibilities.

The Hod development has utilized the experience from the wellhead platform for the Valhall Flank West project, which was delivered in the summer of 2019. Valhall Flank West was the first wellhead platform delivered through the alliance. Upon delivery, this platform set a new standard for how complete a facility can be before installation on the field.

Hod B, which is an approximate copy of Valhall Flank West, has given the company opportunities to optimize its implementation model through the reuse of personnel, facilities, and equipment. It has been delivered at a considerably lower cost compared to Valhall Flank West.

Sturla Magnus, executive vice president and head of Aker Solutions’ topside and facilities business, said: “Today, just 14 months after the first steel plates were cut, the topside is ready for transport to the field exactly as agreed. Together, we have developed new solutions and implemented a number of improvements for safety, productivity and reduced cost level in the project”.

The Alliance delivery includes design, procurement, fabrication, preparation for sea transport, as well as hook-up and assistance for completion on the field. The 2,000-metric-tons topside will be installed on the steel jacket, which was delivered from Aker Solutions’ yard in June. The jacket installation was accomplished just one year after the first steel was cut in the project.

Upon signing on 9 June 2020, the contract had a value for Aker Solutions of just under NOK 1 billion. At its peak, around 550 people from Aker Solutions, the alliance and subcontractors have worked on the project.

Karl Johnny Hersvik, chief executive officer of Aker BP, said: “It makes me particularly proud that through the Hod project Aker BP has contributed to the vocational training of 50 apprentices. The apprentices and the industry have a competence that is necessary for the Green Deal. I am impressed with the alliance team for another solid delivery. You demonstrate that the alliance model is the key to delivering profitable projects in a demanding market going forward”.