Equinor lets contracts, letter of intent for three NCS projects

Equinor Energy AS has awarded two contracts and issued a letter of intent to TechnipFMC for pipelaying and subsea installation for three projects on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).

The projects in scope are Breidablikk and the gas import system for the Snorre expansion project, for which contracts have been awarded, and Askeladd Vest, for which a letter of intent has been issued. The Breidablikk contract has subsea installation as an option.

The total value of the three assignments, including the option, is 1.8 billion kroner.

The scope includes fabrication and laying of pipelines, installation of subsea structures, control cables and hook-up and testing of systems. The offshore operations under the contracts are planned to be carried out during 2021-2023.

Pipelines will be fabricated at Orkanger spoolbase before they are reeled onto the installation vessel.

Project details

The contract for Breidablikk is subject to a final investment decision, which is expected later this year, and a final regulatory approval. The letter of intent for Askeladd Vest is subject to a final investment decision, which is expected later this year.

The Snorre Gas Import System is part of the ongoing Snorre expansion project and includes laying of a new 24-km, 12-inch pipeline between Gullfaks and Snorre fields. The gas will be used as pressure support to improve the recovery rate of Snorre. The pipelaying will be carried out in 2021 and remaining marine operations in 2022. Equinor is operator. Partners are Petoro AS, Vår Energi AS, Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS, and Wintershall Dea Norge AS.

Breidablikk is an oil discovery on the NCS northeast of Grane field in the North Sea. It will be developed as a subsea field with a tie-back to the Grane platform. Equinor is operator. Partners are Petoro AS, Vår Energi AS, and ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS.

Askeladd Vest is a segment in Askeladd field that is part of the Snøhvit unit. Askeladd Vest will be drained by depletion via two gas producers. The Askeladd Vest template will be tied back to the already installed Askeladd templates with a pipeline and an umbilical. Equinor is operator. Partners are Petoro AS, Total E&P Norge AS, Neptune Energy Norge AS, and Wintershall Dea Norge AS.