Norwegian energy company Equinor said on Friday it has chosen suppliers for inspection services on all its offshore installations on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) and onshore plants in Norway.
The frame agreements, which Equinor said are scheduled to be signed shortly, are worth more than NOK 3.5 billion ($385 million) combined and will be awarded to Aker Solutions AS, Axess AS, Oceaneering Asset Integrity AS and IKM Operations AS, taking effect from January 1, 2020. The agreements have a fixed duration of six years plus two four-year options.
“The agreements will ensure predictability for both Equinor and the suppliers. They form the basis for a strong long-term collaboration, allowing us to use new technologies, achieve continuous improvement and increase safety and value creation for all parties,” said Peggy Krantz-Underland, Equinor’s chief procurement officer (CPO).
The main purpose of the inspection services is to keep all installations in good shape and prepare for safe, reliable and efficient operations, Equinor said. (Photo: Marit Hommedal / Equinor)
The services will reveal weaknesses in oil and gas installations onshore and offshore to prevent serious damages, and several technologies are applied such as ultrasound, radiography and drone inspection.
The agreements are designed to reward the suppliers for improvements in general and the use of new technology and digitalization specifically.
“We are already applying advanced ultrasound methods to reduce radiation from the use of radiography. These are advanced technologies that we expect to be even further developed. It is also exciting to see that drones are to mature from being a niche product to becoming standard deliveries within these services. This will benefit our installations, as we will have better methods for inspecting areas at height,” said Kjetil Hove, Equinor’s senior vice president for Operations Technology.
| Main Supplier | Facilities |
|---|---|
| Aker Solutions | Statfjord (A, B, C), Martin Linge, Oseberg field centre, Oseberg (South, East, C), Åsgard (A, B, C), Kristin, Heidrun (TLP, B), Njord (A, B) and Mongstad. |
| Axess | Gullfaks (A, B, C), Troll (A, B, C), Kvitebjørn, Visund, Grane and Valemon. |
| IKM | Snorre (A, B), Sleipner, Gudrun, Gina Krog, Draupner, Johan Sverdrup and Tjeldbergodden. |
| Oceneering | Kårstø, Sture, Kollsnes, Hammerfest LNG, Norne, Aasta Hansteen and Johan Castberg. |
Aker Solutions said its agreement is worth NOK 1.2 billion ($132 million) for the six-year period.
"This contract will secure and further grow our Asset Integrity Management services," said Linda Aase, executive vice president, brownfield projects at Aker Solutions. "Our specialist services ensure that our customers maintain full control of the integrity of their facilities and associated infrastructure. Our services help operators spend where it is most needed, gain confidence to make quick, informed decisions and meet production targets."
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