Statoil's Veslefrikk gets lifetime extension

Statoil and its partners have approved the lifetime extension for the Veslefrikk field in the North Sea until 2025, according to Industri Energi.

Veslefrikk platform. Image from Statoil.

In late summer, Statoil decided internally that it wanted a lifespan extension for Veslefrikk. On Monday (11 September), AU Sokkel received information that all licensees have also approved the lifetime extension with the investments it entails, according to the union.

“This means that the field will be operational in any case until 2025, and beyond that there will be an annual assessment of profitability,” Industri Energi said in a statement.

Veslefrikk lies in Norwegian North Sea block 30/3 in PL 52, about 30km north of the Oseberg field. The field came on stream in 1989 as the first development off Norway to use a floating production unit.

Prior to the extension, Veslefrikk was expected to produce until 2021, and had a cessation plan being prepared, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

The field is developed with two facilities, Veslefrikk A and Veslefrikk B. Veslefrikk A is a fixed steel wellhead facility with bridge connection to Veslefrikk B. Veslefrikk B is a semisubmersible facility for processing and accommodation.

Veslefrikk B was upgraded in 1999 to handle condensate from the Huldra field. The plan for development and operation (PDO) for the Statfjord Group was approved in 1994. The PDO for the reservoirs in the Upper Brent and I-segment was approved in 1994.

The reservoirs consist of Jurassic sandstone in the Statfjord, Dunlin and Brent Groups with reservoir depths between 2800-3200m. The main reservoir is in the Brent Group and contains about 80% of the reserves. The reservoir quality varies from moderate to excellent.

Statoil is the operator of PL52 with 18% stake. Partners include Petoro (37%), Repsol Norge (27%), DEA Norge (13.5%), and Wintershall Norge (4.5%).