Spanish oil firm Repsol has awarded UK engineering firm Atkins a contract for structural front end engineering design (FEED) and detailed design services for work on the Yme field offshore Norway.
Repsol Norge is moving forward with a new attempt to develop the Yme field. The firm awarded a contract to Maersk Drilling for use of the combined drilling and production jackup Mærsk Inspirer for five years, with a five-year extension. It will drill on and produce from the Yme field.
Following modification work to the production module, by Aker Solutions, the jackup contract is expected to start operations in Q4 2019.
Kvaerner was awarded a contract with Repsol Norge for the construction of a permanent caisson support structure for the Yme New Development project.
The Yme field was discovered in 1987 and produced about 50MMbbl from 1996-2001 until low oil prices led to its closure by operator Statoil.An earlier attempt to develop the Norwegian North Sea field, led by Talisman, was hit by issues with the substructure of a mobild offshore production unit (MOPU), which had been installed in the field. A decision to scrap the MOPU platform was made in March 2013, and the structure removed last year in Allseas' maiden offshore lift for the Pioneering Spirit heavy lift vessel.
Atkins part of Canada-based SNC-Lavalin Group.
John Pritchard, director in Atkins’ Energy business, said: “We have built a strong relationship with Repsol, both in the UK and Norway, over a number of years and we’re pleased to be putting our technical expertise and experience in solving complex structural challenges for offshore assets into action to assist Repsol Norge.”
