Norne satellite plan approved, contracts awarded

July 15, 2004
Statoil ASA has received government approval to develop and operate its two Norne satellites Svale and Stær in the Norwegian Sea and has awarded a number of supply and development contracts.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, July 15 -- Statoil ASA has received government approval to develop and operate its two Norne satellites Svale and Stær in the Norwegian Sea and has awarded a number of supply and development contracts.

Statoil will drill eight wells and install three subsea templates tying the fields back to the Norne production ship, which will be modified. Initial production will begin in autumn 2005. Development will cost about 3.6 billion kroner for an expected output of about 70,000 b/d of oil. Transocean Inc. has the drilling contract (OGJ Online, Mar. 12, 2004).

Four new contracts have been awarded, including two to Stolt Offshore SA for delivery and installation of flexible risers and water injection lines (see From the Wires) and for marine operations, which involve the installation of umbilicals and manifolds and connecting the subsea systems.

Technip Offshore Contractors Inc. will lay pipelines for production and gas lift, and Nexans Norway SA will supply direct heating cable and riser.