Aker BP Fires up Ivar Aasen

The first oil is produced by Ivar Aasen field in the North Sea. The start is in line with the plan, and the development is completed within budget. Aker BP is operator of the field, which started production on 24 December 2016.

 First oil from Ivar Aasen field comes four years after the plan for development and operation ( PDO ) was submitted. The plan sets a target for production start in fourth quarter 2016. CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik Aker BP is very pleased that the development is carried out accordingly.

 "The start-up is a major milestone for Aker BP as a company. As operator, we have completed the development in a challenging period for the industry. It is therefore satisfying that we have delivered within budget and on time. For me it is important that the project is carried out without any serious incidents, says Hersvik.

Aker BP's ambition to create the leading independent exploration and production company on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Production start of Ivar Aasen is an important step on this road. Without security conscious and skilled employees and suppliers in close cooperation would not have been possible, stressing Hersvik.

The economic life of Ivar Aasen field may be 20 years, depending on oil prices and production development. Aker BP utilizes modern technology to operate the field most efficiently with low staffing. Operations and operations will be controlled from an operations center in Trondheim.

"There are still major challenges in our industry, and continuous improvement in the way we operate is essential. We Aker BP is well positioned to meet these challenges in partnership with our suppliers,"" Hersvik adds.

Utsira High
Ivar Aasen field is located in the northern part of the North Sea, about 175 km west of Karmøy and contains around 186 million barrels of oil equivalent, excluding Hanz instance. It will be developed in phase two of Ivar Aasen development, and amounts to about 18 million barrels of oil equivalent. Net Aker BP, including Hanz, represents approximately 71 million boe.

The development of the Ivar Aasen include resources for five licenses, 001B, PL028 B, PL242, PL338 and PL457. Unit Report None of the licenses covers deposits in Ivar Aasen and West Cable. Hanz instance in license PL028 B is not covered by unit process.
In line with the government's desire is that a coordinated development with neighboring field Edvard Grieg. Oil and gas from Ivar Aasen is processed and exported from Grieg platform, which also supplies power to the Ivar Aasen.

Global project
This summer topside of about 15,000 tons was lifted into place on the field. It was completed without problems and according to plan. The last six months have between 400 and 500 people working in the field to prepare for production.

A substantial proportion of the deliveries for the project comes from Norway, and the main part of the platform deck is built in Singapore. The living quarters, which was lifted onto the deck is built on Stord. The chassis, built on Sardinia, was installed in summer 2015. Altogether over five thousand people worked on the construction of Ivar Aasen.

Karl Johnny Hersvik commend the many companies that have been involved in the project. "For me it is important to emphasize that we have achieved good results by working as one team with a common goal - fully in line with our values."