Wintershall to develop Skarfjell through Gjøa

German oil company Wintershall has selected a preferred concept for the development of the Skarfjell field in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

The Wintershall-operated field is located in PL 418 license. Under the proposed solution revealed by the operator on Thursday, the reservoir would be connected via a subsea template to the nearby Gjøa platform.

Engie-operated Gjøa is a semi-submersible production unit with full processing and export capabilities. It is operated with power from shore – through a 100 km long submarine cable from Mongstad.

Skarfjell is situated in the northeastern North Sea approximately 20 kilometers southwest of the Gjøa platform and about 130 kilometers northwest of Bergen.

Wintershall said that, based on the proposed plan, hydrocarbons from the Skarfjell reservoir would be sent from a subsea template to the Gjøa platform for processing and export. Gjøa would also provide gas lift services to the field and water injection for pressure support to a second template.

Engie reported that the Gjøa concept for Skarfjell will include a new 1000 tons topside module for handling the Skarfjell production. New risers will be installed for production, gas lift, water injection and umbilical.

The majority of the Skarfjell discovery is located in license PL 418, with a possible extension into PL 378. In PL 418 Wintershall Norge (operator) has 35 percent, Capricorn Norge (part of Cairn Energy PLC) 20 percent, Bayerngas Norge 20 percent, Edison Norge 15 percent and DEA Norge 10 percent.

In PL 378, Wintershall Norge (operator) has 62.5 percent, Capricorn Norge (part of Cairn Energy PLC) 20 percent and Repsol Norge 17.5 percent.

Wintershall added that the partnership will submit the concept report to the authorities by February 16.

Managing Director in Engie E&P Norge, Cedric Osterrieth, said: “The tie back of Skarfjell production to the Gjøa-platform is in line with our strategy to make the installation a hub for future fields in the area and to extend the lifetime of the Gjøa facility.”

Offshore Energy Today Staff