Statoil's Tyrihans field due subsea pumps

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 16 -- Statoil ASA let a 200 million kroner contract to Aker Kvaerner for new generation subsea pumps for seawater injection at Tyrihans oil field in the Norwegian Sea.

The two purpose-built pumps will inject 14,000 cu m/day of untreated seawater into the wells for pressure maintenance in the water zone of the reservoir. It is the first time such pumps will be used on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, Statoil said.

The pumps, to be installed on the seabed, are expected to boost output by 10%. The extra oil produced will have an added value of 4 billion kroner based on an oil price of $30/bbl.

The pumps will be remotely controlled via a 40-km electric power cable tied back to Statoil's Kristin platform, where oil and gas from Tyrihans will be processed.

The pumps are scheduled to come on line in 2010, following the startup of Tyrihans field in 2009.

Tyrihans development will consist of five subsea templates tied back to Kristin platform. The well stream will be transported through a 43-km pipeline that will have direct electric heating to prevent hydrate and wax plug formation. This method is used on 14 other Statoil-operated facilities (OGJ, Mar.13, 2006, Newsletter).

Statoil, operator, has a 46.8% interest in the field. Other interest holders include Total SA 26.51%, Norsk Hydro ASA 12%, Eni SPA 7.9%, and ExxonMobil Corp. 6.75%.