Balder extension plan on track as FPSO heads for Stavanger for upgrade

Var Energi is progressing its plan to increase oil recovery from North Sea Balder field, PL 001, as the Jotun A floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) is expected to enter Åmøyfjorden June 15 where it will undergo preparation works for 2 weeks before the last tow into the Rosenberg Worley yard in Stavanger for its upgrade and life extension (OGJ Online, Jan. 13, 2020).

The upgrade includes overhaul of the turret, pipes, process equipment, hulls, marine systems, living quarters, control and security systems. In addition to Rosenberg Worley, Baker Hughes and Ocean Installer have been selected to carry out engineering, procurement, construction and installation of new subsea systems (SPS), umbilicals, risers and transport pipes for the vessel, which is scheduled to be reinstalled in the area between Balder and Ringhorne fields during the summer of 2022

The Balder Future project will extend field and give Norway’s oldest license a lifetime of 80 years (OGJ Online, Dec. 17, 2019). In addition to upgrading Jotun FPSO, 13 new production wells and one water injection well will be drilled in the field. The project aims to extract another 136 million barrels of oil equivalent (Mboe).

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a delay of deliveries, but Var Energi said it is confident production will start in the second half of 2022.

The project represents an investment of 19.6 billion kroner. It will employ 30,000 full-time employees during the remaining life of the project, peaking at 4,500 full-time employees from 2020-22.