Johan Castberg project re-engineered for harsh Barents Sea environment

摘要

LATE LAST YEAR, Equinor and its partners finally sanctioned the Johan Castberg project in the Barents Sea after halving the costs of the development, compared with earlier proposals. Aker Solutions played a major role in this process, through its suggestions and subsequent designs for the harsh-environment FPSO and the subsea production system, both of which will introduce novel technical concepts to the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). Johan Castberg comprises the Skrugard, Havis, and Drivis oil discoveries in 360-390 m (1,181-1,279 ft) water depth in license PL 532, 100 km (62 mi) north of the Snohvit field and 150 km (93 mi) from the Goliat field FPSO. Equinor estimates recoverable resources in the range of 450-650 MMbbl. The 295-m (968-ft) long, 55-m (180-ft) wide FPSO, which will be Norway's largest to date, will be stationed 240 km (149 mi) offshore Hammerfest. Sembcorp Marine in Singapore is building the hull and living quarters, while Kvaerner has overall responsibility for construction and installation of the topsides.