New gas module on Troll C to help boost production from Fram

The partners in the Fram license have decided to invest in a new project to increase production from the Fram field located in the North Sea off Norway, about 20 kilometers north of the Troll field. 

Fram is an oil and gas field in the northern part of the North Sea. The water depth in the area is approximately 350 meters.

Statoil, as the operator of the field, has 45% interest, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway has 25%, ENGIE E&P Norge has 15%, and Idemitsu Petroleum Norge has the remaining 15% interest.

The decision was taken in agreement with the partners in the Troll license.

This means that the Fram license is investing NOK 1 billion ($122.6M) in a new gas module on the Troll C platform. This will help increase oil production and gas exports from the Fram field and provide conditions for further development in the area.

“Statoil is pleased that we, together with the partners, have made an investment decision for this strategically important project,” says Siv Irene Skadsem, vice president, tie-back and brownfield projects. “By using standardized solutions and equipment, in addition to focusing on making this a maximum lean project, and working closely with Statoil’s operations and suppliers, we have come up with a very cost-efficient and profitable gas module,” Skadsem says.

The investments are key to further developing Troll C as a hub for the Troll C and Fram area. The module will help boost production from the Fram license, and as well as improving the profitability of the Troll C installation by increasing and accelerating production by means of the enhanced gas capacity.

“The new gas module at Troll C will accelerate production from Fram by considerable and profitable volumes,” says Gunnar Nakken, Statoil’s senior vice president for Operations West.

“Consequently, we will be able to mature more wells and explore for new resources in the Fram Area, which all together will make it possible to extend the economic life time for the field,” Nakken adds.

EPCI contract to Aibel

On behalf of the partnership, Statoil has awarded the EPCI contract (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation) for the Troll C gas module to Aibel. The contract has an estimated value of NOK 600 million ($73.6M).

Aibel in Bergen will be responsible for engineering, and the module will be fabricated at Aibel’s Haugesund yard. The work has started, and the project aims at start-up at the end of 2019.

The contract awarded to Aibel was an option in the initial contract with Statoil for the FEED study, Aibel confirmed later on Monday. The company also added that the new gas module is scheduled to be installed on the Troll C platform in the spring of 2019.

According to the company, engineering and procurement are now in a busy period during the autumn and winter until the start of production in Haugesund in May 2018. At that time, approx. 60 employees will be engaged in the construction of the 470-tonne gas module. In the course of the spring 2019, the module will be transported to the field for installation. Approx. 30 people will perform the reconstruction and installation work offshore.