Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, Nov. 9 -- Major operators in the Norwegian North Sea shut in production of 540,000 boe/d on their platforms in early November because of a major storm.
A BP PLC spokesman told OGJ it shut in 80,000 boe/d of gross production from its Valhall oil field on Nov. 6 as the storm was looming, saying, "We hope to come back on stream tomorrow afternoon [Nov. 7], but there is always a degree of uncertainty." BP began evacuating the platform, because the storm was expected to be in full force at 9 p.m. GMT time that evening.
ConocoPhillips shut down 5 of the 16 platforms on Ekofisk oil field, which produce 140,000 boe/d. The field is between Norway and the UK in the North Sea, about 360 km from the UK coast.
StatoilHydro halted production of 320,000 boe/d from Grane, Visund, Oseberg South, and Heimdal fields.
"The basis for the decision is the ongoing analysis of G-forces relating to lifeboat use during bad weather and the gale which is forecast in the North Sea," StatoilHydro added in announcing its action.
Production from Veslefrikk, Huldra, and Troll C fields were not affected, although StatoilHydro also reduced staff by 114 people on the Veslefrikk platform and by 11 workers on the Huldra platform. Staffing at the Troll C platform also was reduced by about 20 people.
Storm winds were expected to peak at above 100 k/hr and to ebb on Nov. 9th.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].
