Smart solutions resulted in success

The Oseberg C Continuous Drilling (LQ Extension) project was awarded in the summer of 2014 and has been managed from Aibel's office in Bergen. Aibel has been responsible for preparatory work, coordination and the actual hook-up of the new living quarters on Oseberg C. The project was recently handed over ahead of schedule, below cost, with the right quality and without injuries to personnel. All targets in the contract have been achieved.

“Statoil is extremely pleased with the work Aibel has done. Aibel has completed the project at a lower cost than the original contract value. This is something we very rarely see, and is due to Aibel being creative in finding smart solutions that rationalize work onshore and offshore,” says Statoil's project manager, Jan Bernhard Flage.

“We started by making changes to the FEED. According to the original plan we were to park 17 cabins in the existing living quarters in connection with the hook-up. By changing the hoisting philosophy and choosing a simpler scheme, we got away with six. It allowed us to have more personnel on board and to work more efficiently,” says Construction Manager Morten Ødegaard.

The project also saved 20 tons of steel just by simplifying the bumpers and guides for the new living quarters. This resulted in significant savings for the customer.

In order to make the project as cost-effective as possible, staffing has been scaled down to a minimum. For example, the field engineers have had a combined role, where they have also been responsible for producing job packages. And in order to use as few bunks as possible, they have only travelled offshore when necessary.

“The onshore organisation has been close to the offshore activities throughout. We haven't used OPC (onshore project centre, ed.), but have nevertheless managed to remain accessible around the clock throughout the construction period,” Ødegaard says.

Statoil's project manager believes Aibel's slim yet flexible project organisation has been key to success.

“Aibel had composed a strong and extremely competent team, which was maintained throughout the entire project. They also facilitated good communication and thus good cooperation between all companies involved,” Flage says.

The actual offshore work started in March 2015. To begin with, work consisted of clearing space, laying out pipes and making everything ready for the actual hook-up.

“We were ahead of schedule for the entire time and had completed all preliminary work three weeks before the hoist. We managed this thanks to skilled, experienced and stable associates,” the construction manager says.

The hoist took place on 16 May this year, and happened – as the project in general – both ahead of schedule and with excellent results. Since then the offshore team has concentrated in completing the hook-up work.

The project has occupied around 40 employees on land and 60 on rotation offshore. The team in Bergen is already well under way with the next project – Oseberg Vestflanken 2 Brownfield Topside. Here Aibel has the responsibility to carry out modifications to the Oseberg field centre in order to receive production from a new wellhead platform and new wells from the existing subsea frame.