ConocoPhillips gets nod for remote operation of North Sea platform

Oil and gas major ConocoPhillips has received consent from the Norwegian offshore safety watchdog for remote operation of the Eldfisk 2/7 Bravo platform located in the North Sea offshore Norway.

The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) said on Wednesday it has given ConocoPhillips Skandinavia consent for remote operation of the Eldfisk 2/7 Bravo platform.

The consent for ConocoPhillips covers the conversion to a new mode of operation for the Eldfisk 2/7 Bravo platform and comprises three main elements.

These elements include technical modifications in order to permit remote operation; organisational adjustments, procedural updates and training; and planning and execution of maintenance by means of periodic campaigns.

During campaign periods, operating and maintenance personnel will live on Eldfisk 2/7 Bravo. Outside of campaigns, the platform will normally be unmanned.

During periods without permanent manning, the platform will be controlled from Eldfisk 2/7 S, otherwise, when manned, Eldfisk 2/7 Bravo will be controlled locally.

The ConocoPhillips-operated Eldfisk is an oil field in the southern part of the Norwegian sector in the North Sea, 10 kilometres south of the Ekofisk field.

Eldfisk is the second largest of three producing fields in the Greater Ekofisk Area and one of the largest on the Norwegian continental shelf. The field is located in block 2/7, about 16 kilometres south of Ekofisk, not far from the UK and Danish shelves. The water depth in the area is just under 70 meters.

ConocoPhillips developed Eldfisk with a total of five platforms. Four of them are connected with bridges (the Eldfisk Complex), while the fifth, Eldfisk 2/7 Bravo, is located about six kilometres northwest of the Eldfisk Complex​​​​​​​.

The field consists of three structures: Alpha, Bravo and Eldfisk Øst. The reservoirs lie at depths of 2,700-2,900 metres.

Eldfisk was discovered in 1970, and the plan for development and operation (PDO) was approved in 1975. Production began in 1979.