By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Oct. 16 -- Statoil ASA on Oct 13 temporarily shut in production of 115,000 boe/d from Snorre A platform and 85,000 boe/d from Vigdis field, which is processed on the Snorre A platform in the Norwegian North Sea.
Production was shut due to a lack of lifeboat capacity on the Snorre A installation, realized after a study conducted by Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) identified weaknesses in the certified Umoe Schat-Harding FF48II lifeboat type, including the lifeboat's inability to be launched from the installations by free fall.
Thirty-nine crafts of this type are installed on eight platforms on the Norwegian continental shelf, including 20 on Statoil-operated installations. In addition to the six on Snorre A, 10 of these are on the Heidrun platform in the Norwegian Sea and four on Troll A in the North Sea.
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) granted exemptions on Oct. 12 for continued production on six of the eight platforms affected, including Heidrun and Troll A, but refused the application for Snorre A.
Statoil said work to repair the six lifeboats involved on the Snorre A installation will start as soon as possible. It is likely to take about a week to complete two lifeboats, and personnel on the Snorre A platform that have been sent ashore will rise as more boats are readied.
Regarding the lifeboats' structural problems on its Heidrun and Troll A platforms, Statoil said it has taken extensive compensatory action. Measures to ensure safety include an increase in emergency helicopter cover, reduction in personnel to a minimum, and cutbacks in the level of activity.
Interests in Snorre are Statoil 15.55%, Norsk Hydro Production AS 17.77%, ExxonMobil Corp. 11.58%, Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS 9.6%, RWE DEA Norge AS 8.28%, Total E&P Norge AS 6.18%, and Amerada Hess Corp. 1.04%.
Statoil is operator of the Vigdis license, holding 28.22% interest. Partners are Petoro SA 30%, Norsk Hydro 13.28%, ExxonMobil 10.5%, Idemitsu 9.6%, Total 5.6%, and RWE DEA 2.8%.
