Partners reveal Gjoa field development plans

Aug. 24, 2006
Statoil ASA and partners have agreed to use a semisubmersible platform for development of Gjoa field 45 km off western Norway in the North Sea. Statoil expects to begin oil and gas production from the field in 2010.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 24 -- Statoil ASA and partners have agreed to use a semisubmersible platform for development of Gjoa field 45 km off western Norway in the North Sea. Statoil expects to begin oil and gas production from the field in 2010.

"Optimal oil production requires a platform on the field," said Einar Erfjord, leader of the Gjøa management committee.

Statoil, operator of Gjoa's development phase, recommends that the semi production platform be tied back to subsea-completed wells. The partners have so far agreed for plans to include four gas wells and 8-10 oil wells in the development project. The platform will get electrical power supplies from land.

Statoil awarded Aker Kvaerner Engineering & Technology the 60 million kroner contract for the front-end engineering design of the platform (OGJ Online, Jan. 26, 2006).

Gjoa licensees intend to file a plan for development and operation (PDO) with the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy later this year, at which time a final cost estimate also will be available.

After the field's development phase, Gaz de France will become operator in the production phase. Based on the current production plan more than 70% of the gas and just over 20% of the oil will be produced.

Making the Gjøa project profitable has been demanding, Statoil said. The chosen development concept ties in the three Norsk Hydro AS-operated oil and gas deposits—Camilla, Belinda, and Fram B—to Gjøa.

Gjøa field, proven in 1989, lies 70 km north of Troll oil field on Blocks 35/9 and 36/7. The reserves are estimated at 60 million bbl of oil and condensate and 35 billion cu m of gas. The gas will be sent through the UK pipeline Flags to St. Fergus, Scotland. The oil will be piped to the Troll II line and further to the Statoil-operated 200,000 b/cd Mongstad refinery north of Bergen.

Interests in the Gjøa license are Gaz de France 30%, Petoro SA 30%, Statoil 20%, Royal Dutch Shell PLC 12%, and RWE Dea AG 8%.