FUGRO Supports AlVheim Improved Oil Recovery Project

Fugro is providing wave measurements to support construction operations at an improved oil recovery (IOR) project on the Norwegian continental shelf, around 225 kilometres west of Stavanger.

The subsea infrastructure on the Alvheim field (operated by Det norske oljeselskap ASA) is being extended by offshore construction expert Technip and involves four areas that are being tied-in via subsea wells to improve oil production rates. Technip’s subsea operations – the installation and tie-in of spools and protection covers, along with a manifold – are being performed at depths of around 120 to 130 metres.

Technip required access to real-time wave measurements in order to estimate the sea state with reliability and confidence. The data will be used to inform safe and efficient operational planning activities, minimize risk and maximize cost-efficiency. Having successfully worked together on similar projects, Technip commissioned Fugro to deploy a Datawell Waverider buoy to monitor wave conditions onsite in real-time over a period of 12 months.

Fugro’s Victoria Jones, Tendering Project Manager, said, “We used our expertise and capabilities to design a suitable mooring for the conditions expected at the Alvheim field. Fugro has an extensive equipment pool which allowed us to mobilize the necessary equipment and personnel promptly to Bergen to fit Technip’s schedule.

“We deployed the Waverider buoy safely in January using a vessel we regularly charter for operations in Norwegian waters and plan to return to service the equipment in July and then redeploy it for a further six months.”

The Waverider buoy is now collecting a range of raw wave data, processing the information and then transmitting summary wave parameters at half-hourly intervals via satellite link. Data including wave period, height and direction are then displayed on a project-specific web page that can be accessed by the client and other interested parties via a secure log-in. The information is presented in real-time on a variety of user-friendly pages, with options including graphic formats and tabular data.