Statoil Gets Consent to Carry Out Modification Works on Gullfaks B Platform (Norway)

Statoil ASA has received consent to upgrade the water injection system on Gullfaks B (GFB).

The main components of the existing water injection system at GFB are vulnerable to degeneration. One of the objectives of the modification is to increase the capacity of the water injection system from the current level of 35000 cubic metres per day to 70000 cubic metres per day. In addition, a new power cable will be installed between Gullfaks A (GFA) and GFB.

The modification will occur while the facilities are in normal operation.

The existing 20” transfer line for injection water between GFA and GFB will no longer be used when the new facility at GFB is put into operation. The pipeline will be disconnected and blinded at both ends.

According to the plan, the work will be completed during the autumn of 2013.

About Gullfaks

The Gullfaks field contains oil and gas, and is located in block 34/10 in the northern part of the North Sea. The main field has been developed with three large production facilities with concrete jackets.

Gullfaks A started production on 22 December 1986, Gullfaks B (pictured) started on 29 February 1988 and Gullfaks C started on 4 November 1989.

The oil is loaded into buoys on the field, while the gas is transported by pipeline for treatment at the gas facility at Kårstø in Rogaland. From there, the gas is exported.

Gullfaks A is used for storage and offloading of stabile crude oil from the Vigdis and Visund fields.

Oil and gas from Gullfaks B are transferred to A and C for treatment and storage.

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Source:Ptil, February  22, 2011; Image: Statoil