Production from the Gullfaks South (GSO) fast-track project for improved oil recovery in the North Sea started 27 July, increasing output from the Gullfaks area by around 65 MMboe.
The project is part of Statoil’s fast-track portfolio, but it has a larger and more complex subsea scope than ordinary developments of this kind.
GSO covers two subsea templates, four production wells, two gas injectors, a gas injection pipeline and a total of three production tubings, in addition to umbilicals and power cables for pipeline heating. There are a total of 22 subsea tie-ins.
The NOK9 billion project, approved three years ago, also involved 370 drilling rig days. The drilling program will continue through the first quarter of 2016.
"GSO demonstrates how we can increase recovery and profitability by use of standardized, simplified development solutions tied to existing infrastructure,” says Arild Dybvig, vice president for fast-track projects in Development & Production Norway.
"Helping utilize spare processing capacity, the project extends the Gullfaks A platform life beyond 2030," adds Marit Berling, vice president for Gullfaks operations.
"Close to 800 vessel days and 2.3 million working hours have been completed with good HSE results. GSO is our most comprehensive fast-track project," says Trond Bokn, vice president for subsea projects in technology, projects and drilling.