The stricken Njord platform could be replaced by a new FPSO in the North Sea, it has emerged.
The platform, which was evacuated earlier this week ahead of a heavy storm, has been shut since the summer after it was discovered the deck structure needed to be reinforced.
Further safety checks are to be carried out on the facility before staff return, but now one of the partners in the field has revealed talks are underway about possibly closing it for good.
Faroe Petroleum, one of the companies involved in the project, said the partnership operating the field was looking at possible alternatives for continuing production from Njord, which has a further 20 years worth of oil to extract.
“Given the very significant remaining value potential in Njord and the surrounding area, we continue to work closely with the operator in order to identify the best long term plans for Njord,” said Faroe chief executive Graham Stewart.
“We also support Statoil in their efforts to ensure the Njord facility remains a safe work place for everyone involved.
“Conducting our operations in a safe manner is of paramount importance and remains the first priority in everything we do.”
Among the options being discussed for the field are:
- Continuing to use Njord A after reinforcement of the deck structure
- Bringing the Njord A platform shore for comprehensive repair and placement work
- Building a new platform or FPSO to serve the field instead
Reinforcement work is expected to resume once staff are back on the rig, with the aim of restarting production from the field by mid-2014.
Faroe said a final decision on the future of the platform would be made by the end of next year.
97 staff were airlifted from Njord A on Saturday after dangerous weather conditions in the region forced Statoil to clear the platform.
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