Upgrade on the plans for Snorre

Statoil plans to invest over NKr5 billion to increase production at its Snorre field in the North Sea, with over half of that budget going for HSE measures.

'Snorre has the largest remaining reserves of Statoil’s fields on the Norwegian continental shelf. A number of extensive modifications have been carried out in recent years to make the installations more robust for increased production and an extended lifetime up until the year 2040,' said Torstein Hole, SVP for Operations West in E&P Norway.

Hole estimates Snorre will see more modifications in 2009 and 2010 than any other field on the shelf.
In summer 2010 Safe Scandinavia floatel will arrive at Snorre A to increase the field’s sleeping capacity for six months and make it possible to implement more projects and maintenance. The accommodation quarters on Snorre will be the primary upgrade area while the flotel is in residence, Statoil says. More one-person cabins will be built and noise-reduction measures implemented.
Additionally, the Snorre partners recently decided to replace the fire and gas alarm system, which costs about NKr450 million in capital expenditure. The partners awarded Apply Sørco the main contract for the upgrade. In addition, the project will avail itself use of the company’s frame agreements relating to operation and maintenance. This project will continue through 2012.

'While the platform is in full operation, and the current warning system is operative, some 1700 detectors will be removed and 2000 new ones installed. 36km of cable will be taken out and 47km of new cables installed,' Hole said.
 

by Jennifer Pallanich, jpallanich@offshore-engineer.com