PSA Norway Probes Flexible Risers of Skarv FPSO

Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) Norway has carried out an audit of Aker BP and its integrity management of flexible risers and their associated emergency-shutdown and pressure-safety equipment.

The audit focused on Aker BP’s organisation for the operation of Skarv floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

The objective of the audit was to verify that integrity management for flexible risers and associated equipment, such as ESDVs, pressure-safety equipment and flexible jumpers, complied with the company’s own requirements and statutory regulations.

According to PSA, no non-conformities were identified, however, improvement points were identified relating to risk oversight, testing of safety valves and marking.

Aker BP has until August 31 to report on how the observations will be addressed.

Skarv

The Skarv field is located approx. 210 km off the coast of Sandnessjøen, on 350-450 m water depth. The field came on stream in December 2012 and has an expected field life of 25 years.

The Skarv field is developed with an FPSO anchored to the seabed. Subsea wells are tied back to the FPSO from the subsea templates. Gas is transported via an 80 kilometer spur gas line to Åsgard Transport System and then via Gasled to the European market. Shuttle tanker loading of oil for direct transport to the market.