Norway’s Statoil has been stoppped from using a innovative new technology due to a court injunction.
Small firm Neodrill from Ålgård in Rogaland has received an injunction in Stavanger District Court that refuses Statoil to use the so-called Cap-X technology.
The ruling came Wednesday, meaning the Norwegian operator must find alternative equipment at very short notice.
The Cap-X concept for subsea developments is aimed at reducing costs by 30%.
The technology was said to be inspired by the company’s previous experience drilling in the Barents Sea and was touted as a step further towards a “plug and play solution” to the seabed.
The subsea concept is based on suction anchor technology for mounting installation on the seabed such as Statoil, Shell and the Norwegian Geotechnical institute has been pioneering.
At the time of announcing the new tech, last April, the company said it had patented the technology.
But a company’s spokesman said the move was “not about” other companies being unable to adopt the technology.
Statoil press officer Eskil Eriksen said this morning that the court’s temporary decision is based on “wrong information”, and that Statoil have not gotten the opportunity to state its view in the case.
He added: “We are now seeking to get the temporary decision withdrawed.
“Until then we are taking actions to comply to the temporary decision.
“The planned drilling campaign will continue as planned. We are mobilizing alternative equipment to be used on the next exploration wells in the Barents.
“We are currently securing the Blåmann well, so we can leave the well in a safe and responsible manner.”
Neodrill believes Statoil has used the company’s technology in the areas of Cap-X system. Neodrill developed the CAN (Conductor Anchor Node), which is based on the suction anchor technology.
This patented approach of installing a subsea wellhead foundation was developed in order to facilitate pre-installation of conductors with light vessels.
Neodrill chief executive Jostein Aleksandersen said: “We are very pleased that the court has given us fully upheld and hope it will do that Statoil will respect our patent rights and act the way we expect a partner to do.
“I also hope that this will make it possible to establish a reasonable and balanced dialogue with Statoil interests of both parties.”
Statoil owns 30% of Neodrill.