The Valemon field’s topsides were lifted into place on its steel jacket, Statoil today confirmed.
The structure, which includes the first topsides to be built in South Korea for the Norwegian operator, took 40 days to float to its installation position.
The two-hour lifting operation secured nine 750-tonne topsides onto the installation.
“This is a major milestone for the project, the most important milestone of course being start-up towards the end of the year,” says Bjørn Laastad, vice president for Valemon field development.
The flare boom was installed on the same day.
“We had almost perfect lifting conditions,” said Viktor Nilsen-Nygaard, head of Valemon transportation and installation.
The installation follows a two-year planning period. It’s the latest milestone for the field, which is located in the North Sea. Earlier this year in June, the West Elara rig pre-drilled production wells through the jacket on the field.
Statoil’s attention will now be focused on the commissioning works planned for the months ahead. The installation of sea water pumps and the connection of electricity, water and pipelines will all be carried out.
Valemon will be powered from Kvitebjørn, which has a cable already in place. Its gas and condensate will also be transported using existing pipelines, the firm confirmed. Gas will transported using existing pipeline from Huldra to Heimdal. The field’s condensate will be piped to Kvitebjørn for stabilisation before being transported to the Mongstad refinery near Bergen.
“Some work remains before we are ready for start-up, but we are on track,” added Laastad.
Well operations for the site are expected to resume in mid-October with field’s drill life expected to extend through 2017.
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