PSA inspects Martin Linge FSO barrier management

On 23 and 24 April 2014, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) carried out an audit of Total E&P Norge AS and the modification project for Martin Linge FSO.

The objective of the audit was to monitor that Total, in partnership with the owner KNOT FSO 1 AS and engineering contractors, was complying with the barrier management requirements in applicable regulations and standards.

No non-conformities were identified. Improvement points were identified in connection with: Risk analysis (QRA), Design, Performance requirements, Fire divisions.

The FSO

In December 2013, Total E&P Norge AS signed a charter agreement for the Martin Linge floating, storage, and offloading unit (FSO).

For this project, a KNOT shuttle tanker will be converted into an FSO unit and then chartered by Total E&P Norge AS. The converted FSO will be used to store and offload oil that has been pumped from the Martin Linge field in the Norwegian North Sea.

The field is held by a partnership comprising the operator Total E&P Norge AS (51%), Petoro AS (30%), and Statoil Petroleum AS (19%).

The FSO will be delivered in the end of 2016 and will feature a remote-controlled system that can be operated from the Martin Linge platform and land. It will have connections that allow the unit to be more cleanly powered by electricity from shore, and a system that separates water and oil. After delivery, the unit will be chartered to Total E&P Norge AS for 8 years, plus up to 4 optional years.