PSA audits Gjøa platform (Norway)

From 5 to 8 May 2014, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) carried out an audit of GDF SUEZ E&P Norge AS (GDF) on board the Gjøa platform.

The objective of the audit was to monitor GDF’s work in complying with its own and the authorities’ requirements for barrier management and follow-up on Gjøa.

PSA has reported that one non-conformity was identified in connection with the fire water system.

In addition, improvement points were identified in connection with: Governing documents; Risk analysis; Ignition source control; Fire resistance of deck grating.

Gjøa is a gas field in the North Sea, 60 kilometres west of Florø. The reservoir sits on top of a thin oil rim, and contains an estimated 40 billion cubic metres of gas reserves.

Norsk Hydro discovered the field in 1989, and GDF SUEZ E&P Norge acquired a 30% interest in the field in 2003. In June 2007, Norwegian authorities approved the plan for development and operation of Gjøa, clearing the way for one of the largest offshore developments in Norway since Snøhvit and Ormen Lange.

The field was developed through a joint operatorship with Statoil.

Partners in Gjøa are GDF SUEZ (30%), Petoro (30%), Statoil (20%), Shell (12%) and RWE Dea (8%).