13 June 2010 - The semi-submersible platform by Aker Solutions for the Gjoea oil and gas field offshore Norway, today started on its journey from the yard at Stord to the North Sea, where installation will take place. Production start-up is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2010.
Gjoea features innovative solutions by Aker Solutions, based on the company's experience from more than 50 semi-submersibles. It will be Statoil's first floating platform supplied with power from shore. This is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approx 250,000 tonnes per year.
Gjoea is one of the largest ongoing field development projects in the North Sea. Aker Solutions has designed, engineered and assembled the platform, which will connect to five subsea templates. With a topside weight of 22.000 tonnes and hull dry weight of 15.000 tonnes, the new platform is ready to create value for its operators and Norwegian society in decades to come.
"We are proud to deliver the Gjoea platform to Statoil ready for operation in the northern part of the North Sea. Gjoea is a strategically important project for Aker Solutions, underpinning our position as a leading supplier of floating platforms for oil and gas production. Today's sail away confirms our competence and track record within this area," says Jarle Tautra, executive vice president in Aker Solutions.
The Gjoea deck measures 110 meters long and 85 meters wide, an area larger than a football (soccer) field. The platform's highest point is the flare tower at 143 meters, several floors higher than Norway's tallest building, Oslo Plaza, at 117 meters. In total, more than 500 Aker Solutions engineers have been mobilised to design the platform, from Oslo, Norway, and Mumbai, India. During the final assembly at Stord, peak manning reached 3000 skilled operators. Key deliveries have also been made by other Aker Solutions locations in Norway, including Egersund, Verdal, Moss and Pusnes.
Installation of the mooring system, transportation and installation of the Gjoea platform is carried out by Aker Solutions' subsidiary Aker Marine Contractors.
"The delivery of Gjoea continues our good working relationship with Statoil from the similar, but slightly smaller Kristin platform which we completed a few years ago. We are proud to be their partner in further developing oil and gas resources in the North Sea and beyond. We thank them for their confidence. I would also personally like to congratulate the thousands of employees and subcontractors involved in this project, on a job well done!" says Tautra.
Licencees to the Gjoea field are Statoil, development operator (20%), GDF SUEZ E&P Norge AS, production operator (30%), Petoro (30%), Shell (12%) and RWE Dea (8%). Estimated recoverable reserves amount to 82 million barrels of oil and condensate, and 40 billion cubic metres of gas. In addition, the Vega satellite field has estimated reserves of 26 million barrels of condensate and 18 billion cubic metres of gas. The gas will be sent through the Flags pipeline to Scotland while the oil will be piped to Statoil's refinery at Mongstad.
(Attached photos: Statoil.)
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Media:
Alf Terje Myklebust, communication manager, Aker Solutions, Stord. Tel: +47 53 41 81 03, Mob: +47 91 75 34 42
Investor relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, SVP Investor Relations, Aker Solutions. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39, Mob: +47 911 37 194
Suppliers:
For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please contact the relevant BA Global Sourcing Champion (http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/SuppliersCentre/Contacts/SupplyManagementContacts.htm).
Career opportunities:
Visit http://www.akersolutions.com/careers (http://www.akersolutions.com/careers)
Aker Solutions ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Solutions"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. Aker Solutions' business serves several industries, including oil & gas, refining & chemicals, mining & metals and power generation. The Aker Solutions group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Solutions is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.
Aker Solutions' parent company is Aker Solutions ASA. Aker Solutions has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 54 billion and employs approximately 22 000 people in about 30 countries.
Aker Solutions is part of Aker (www.akerasa.com (http://www.akerasa.com/)), a group of premier companies with a focus on energy, maritime and marine resource industries. The Aker companies share a common set of values and a long tradition of industrial innovation. As an industrial owner controlling 40.27 percent of the shares in Aker Solutions through Aker Holding AS, Aker ASA takes an active role in the development of Aker Solutions.
This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see www.akersolutions.com (http://www.akersolutions.com/).
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