Norwegian oil giant Statoil is looking to increase production from its Oseberg oilfield with the launch of a new drilling campaign next summer.
The company has signed a three-year contract with Prosafe Offshore for the conversion of Statoil’s flotel Safe Scandinavia.
The modification would enable the vessel to store and treat drilling fluid and cuttings as the drilling operations take place.
The support vessel will help make drilling operations more efficient, and enable longer wells to be drilled than is currently the case, Statoil said in a statement.
“We are expecting to increase the recovery rate on Oseberg Øst from around 20% to up to 30% when we drill the first planned wells,” said Kjetil Hove, senior vice president for operations in Statoil’s development and production Norway business area.
“We also have the possibility of drilling more wells and further increasing the recovery rate towards 40%, which is almost double the rate in the plan for development and operation.
“As operator we are determined to ensure the greatest possible recovery of profitable barrels, and are pleased that the license has taken this important decision.”
Field development of the Oseberg East field includes an integrated drilling, accommodation and production platform with equipment for first-phase processing.
Statoil holds a 49.30% interest in the prospect. The other partners are Petoro (33.6%), Total E&P (14.70%) and ConocoPhillips (2.4%).