The Gudrun North Sea development is set to cost $333million less than the original budget of $3.5billion, Statoil has revealed
News of the revised cost came as the flare tower for the Gudrun platform was lifted into place.
The Norwegian North Sea field, first proven in 1974 and due to start production next year, holds about 127million barrels of oil equivalents.
The platform, located about 55 kilometres north of Statoil’s Sleipner installation, has 16 well slots, with seven production wells planned to be drilled.
The new platform will have a partial ability to treat oil and gas, before the hydrocarbons are transported to the Sleipner A platform via a pipeline.
The positioning of the platform on the steel undercage, which had been ready at sea for nearly two years, marked one of the most important milestones in the project, the company said today.
“The operation has been safe and efficient with favourable sea conditions,” said Øyvind Haugsdal, transport and installation manager.
“It was an incredible feeling to watch it all go as planned.”
After adding the flare tower this morning, the construction reached its full height of 232.5 metres.
The platform deck and undercarriage will now be connected and the platform will be prepared for production, due to start next year.
Statoil is the majority operator with a 75% stake, while GDF Suez holds the remaining 25%.
