Project Profile
Value: US$18.5 billion
Area: 40km² (20.97km², block 6407/7)
Production: 20,000 bopd and 6 million cubic metres of gas per day
Water Depth: 330 metres
Start-up Year: September 1997
Re-development: Planned production in 2019
The Njord field is situated on Haltenbanken, in blocks 6407/7 and 6407/10, 130km north of Kristiansund and 30km west of the Draugen field. Licences were awarded to block 6407/7 in 1985 and to block 6407/10 in 1987. The water depth in the area is around 330m. Oil is produced from the Tilje Formation on the East Flank and in the Central Area. The oil-bearing Tilje formation is 100-150m deep, covering an area of around 40km². Reservoir pressure is calculated to be at 390bar, 2,850m below sea level. The development plan has the flexibility to allow for an optional production of other oil reserves in the Tilje Formation, in the Northern Area and in the Ile and Åre Formations, should they subsequently prove to be technically and economically viable. Production has started from two of the three predrilled wells, and the third well in the East Flank will be used for the reinjection of produced gas. The field commended production in September 1997 and produces around 20,000 barrels of oil per 24-hour period, while gas exports is average six million cubic meters per 24 hour period.
Development:
The adoption of Hydro Plus measures to increase efficiency, as well as the principles of Norsok, was incorporated into Njord and this has led to: simplified solutions, cost reductions, advanced horizontal drilling, reducing the number of wells, extensive use of supplier specifications and standards and integrated cooperation within the project organisation. In general, the plan for the development and operation of the Njord field was submitted to the authorities in February 1995 and approved by the Storting in July of the same year. The Njord project was completed in 30-31 months, a reduction in project execution time by ten months, in comparison with previous Hydro projects of a similar nature. The field has been developed with a floating drilling, accommodation and production platform, which is made of steel and consists of two pontoons, four pillars and the topside. The Njord development solution is based on the P45 concept developed by Aker. The platform is located in the field, directly above the wells, which are connected to it by flexible risers. The platform is moored to the seabed by 12 anchor chains. All well intervention and maintenance is carried out from the platform. The use of horizontal trees facilitates operations and reduces costs.
In April 2010, Statoil decided to further develop the northwest flank of Njord to increase the total recoverable reserves in the field, secure continued gas exports and extend its lifetime by up to two years. Located about 4 miles (6 kilometres) northwest of the Njord platform, the area's development will consist of drilling two new extended reach wells drilled directly from the platform with 5 miles (8 kilometres) of well paths. The wells will then be tied-back to the A platform. Additionally, Njord's northwest flank area contains higher pressure than in the main reservoir so modifications will have to be made to the platform. The estimated volume of the northwest flank is 18.6 million barrels of oil equivalent. Contracts awarded will accommodate engineering, procurement and construction of new equipment, including risers and new elements for the process and drilling unit.
Operators:
Equinor (formerly Statoil): Operator with 20% interest
Neptune Energy: 22.5% interest
DEA Norge AS (bought from E.ON Ruhrgas Norge AS): 50% interest
Faroe Petroleum Norge AS: 7.50% interest
Contractors:
Global Maritime: Marine operations contract between 2018-2020 (October, 2018)
Archer: Drilling and maintenance contract (April, 2018)
Deepocean: Surf riser replacement contract
Ocean Installer: Subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) contract
Aker Solutions: Well services
Aibel: Supplier of maintenance and modification services. On June 2015, Aibel also signed a contract for the project Topside Support and Winches in connection with the Njord Future Marine Project. Aibel's scope consists of planning, engineering, procurement, construction and installation in connection with disengagement of the platform before tow-in. This comprises necessary preparatory work in order to be able to submerge risers, umbilical and power cables for wet storage for up to six years. Also included are delivery and installation of necessary winch systems offshore.
Bergen Group Rosenberg: FEED and EPCIC contract
Baker Hughes: Agreement with Statoil to provide integrated drilling services
DOF Subsea: Changing out mooring segments on the Njord B floating storage unit and the Norne floating production, storage and offtake unit
Aibel: Contract for the project Topside Support and Winches in connection with the Njord Future Marine Project. Statoil has awarded the contract to Aibel in connection with its assessments for future operation of the Njord field and the decision to tow Njord A ashore. Aibel's scope consists of planning, engineering, procurement, construction and installation in connection with disengagement of the platform before tow-in. This comprises necessary preparatory work in order to be able to submerge risers, umbilical and power cables for wet storage for up to six years. Also included are delivery and installation of necessary winch systems offshore.
Beerenberg Corp AS and Prezioso Linjebygg AS: Long-term contracts for insulation, scaffolding and surface treatment services. (January, 2016)
Siemens: A contract to upgrade the control and safety systems on the Njord A platform as part of a major upgrade of the semi-submersible unit. (September, 2016)
Kvaerner: Statoil has booked yard-stay at Kvaerner’s Stord facility for the Njord A floating production platform. The platform is expected to be quayside at Stord in August. (September, 2016), enable the platform to receive oil from the Fenja field (13 July 2018)
Subcontractors:
Kaefer Energy: Surface of the deck and the hull
Aker Solutions: The company signed a EPC subcontractor contract agreement with Kværner. The company will provide engineering services for upgrading the semi-submersible platform at the Statoil-operated Njord A oilfield.