BP’s rig expansion adds to Valhall field’s life

BP HAS re-started production from a key Norwegian oil field following work to modernise the hub and extend its life.

The oil giant said it was pumping oil from the Valhall field again after adding an 18,500-ton platform and an external system of bridges and walkways linking it to the existing complex. The field will now be powered from the shore thanks to a 294 kilometre cable.

BP chief executive Bob Dudley said: “It is one of BP’s most complex field expansions and gives Valhall a further 40-year life with the capacity to handle 120,000 barrels of oil and 143 million cubic feet of gas per day.”

Production from Valhall is expected to build up to around 65,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the second half of 2013. Before the redevelopment production was running at about 42,000 barrels a day on average.

Discovered in 1975, the Valhall field saw its first production in 1982. The redevelopment project is expected to extend production from the field to 2050.

Including the new platform, the field complex now has six separate manned platforms and two unmanned “flank platforms”, each about six kilometres from the main facilities.

BP Norway is the operator of Valhall with a 35.9 per cent interest. Hess Norge owns the remaining 64.1 per cent.