By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 22 -- Statoil ASA has exercised options in a contract with Aker Kværner—formed last February by the merger of Aker Maritime ASA and Kværner AS—for modification work in connection with the tie-back of Alpha North satellite field to Sleipner West field's A and T platforms in the Norwegian North Sea. Total value of the options is just over 200 million kroner.
The work involves connecting the 18 km pipeline between Alpha North and Sleipner T, and the control systems between the satellite and Sleipner A.
Statoil plans to extend the producing life of Sleipner West by combining major topsides modification of Sleipner T platform with the multiwell subsea tieback of Alpha North, the gas and condensate reservoir on Sleipner West's north flank (OGJ Online, Apr. 30, 2001).
Statoil awarded Sleipner T platform modifications in 2001 to Kværner Oil & Gas, Egersund, Norway. That contract contained the two options for the Alpha North tie-back.
Sleipner West Alpha North is due to deliver condensate and gas Oct. 1, 2004 via the pipeline to Sleipner T platform's gas treatment facilities, where carbon dioxide will be removed and pumped into the Utsira aquifer. Condensate will be piped through an existing line to the Kårstø treatment complex north of Stavanger, while the lean gas will enter the distribution network for gas from the Sleipner area.
Alpha North has estimated reserves of 13 billion cu m of gas and about 32 million bbl of condensate.
Statoil has a 49.5% interest in Alpha North. Its partners are ExxonMobil Corp. 32.24%, Norsk Hydro AS 8.85%, and TotalFinaElf SA 9.41%.