Wintershall Norge has received official green light from Norwegian ministry of Petroleum and Energy for its plan for NOK 9.9 billion ($1.2 bln) development and operation for the Nova field in the North Sea.
A press rlease from the Germany cmpany, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF in Ludwigshafen, said: "Wintershall Norge AS and its partners have now received approval by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for the plan for development and operation (PDO) for the Nova development, about 120 kilometers northwest of Bergen, Norway."
Germany’s largest internationally active crude oil and natural gas producer, and the partnership, submitted the PDO to the Ministry on May 16, 2018. The approved development solution for the Nova field involves two subsea templates located on the ocean floor tied back to the nearby Gjøa platform, operated by Neptune Energy.
“This is another important landmark for Wintershall Norge. We believe in Norway and we are showing again through the Nova development that we are prepared to back up our commitment with investment. Good dialogue with the Norwegian authorities is a crucial component of our success in this country. We regard this approval as recognition of our ability to deliver projects on the Norwegian Continental Shelf,” said Hugo Dijkgraaf, Wintershall Norge Managing Director.
The Nova field will be developed as a subsea tie-back connecting two templates to the Gjøa platform for processing and export. Gjøa will also provide lift gas to the field and water injection for pressure support.
Power for the Nova field comes via the Gjøa platform from shore. This sustainable development solution is a win-win situation: Instead of building a new installation, the connection to the nearby platform will save costs for Wintershall and extend the economic life-time of the existing infrastructure.
“By developing this cost-efficient solution, we are tapping into experience we already have as operator of two underwater fields and are strengthening our position as an expert in subsea developments. At the same time, we are creating value for the partnership, our suppliers and the Norwegian society,” said André Hesse, Wintershall Nova Project Director.
A significant number of contracts have already been awarded for the Nova project, notably the subsea production system to Aker Solutions, the contract for pipeline and subsea construction to Subsea 7, and the rig contract to Seadrill.
Recoverable reserves of the field are estimated around 80 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), of which the majority is oil. The planned production startup for Nova is in 2021.
Nova will be Wintershall Norge’s third operated subsea field, after Vega which is also tied back to the Gjøa platform (Wintershall’s share: 20 percent) and Maria in the Norwegian Sea.