The audit was conducted between 21 October and 6 December 2019.

Valhall Flank West is an unmanned facility with twelve well slots, and is tied back to the Valhall field centre. Production began in December 2019.

Objective

The objective of the audit was to assess how Aker BP ensures compliance with the authorities’ and its own requirements relating to major accident risk, barriers and emergency preparedness in the completion and integration of Valhall Flank West into the existing operating concept for normally unmanned facilities.

Result

Non-conformities were identified within the following systems and areas:

  • Facility-specific competence for reducing risk
  • Documentation

We also identified improvement points linked to the following systems and areas:

  • Non-conformity handling
  • Temporary equipment

What happens now?

We have asked Aker BP to report on how the non-conformities will be addressed. We have also asked the company for their assessment of the improvement points we observed. The deadline for replying is set at 4 March 2020.

Valhall

Valhall is a field in the southern part of the Norwegian sector in the North Sea. The water depth is 70 metres. Valhall was discovered in 1975, and the initial plan for development and operation (PDO) was approved in 1977. The field was originally developed with three facilities for accommodation (QP), drilling (DP) and processing (PCP). Production started in 1982. A PDO for a wellhead facility (WP) was approved in 1995 and for a water injection platform (IP) in 2000. Bridges connect the platforms. A PDO for two wellhead platforms on the northern and southern flanks was approved in 2001. A PDO for Valhall Redevelopment was approved in 2007, and included an accommodation and processing platform (PH) to replace aging facilities on the field. The PH-platform is supplied with power from shore. A PDO for Valhall Flank West was approved in 2018. It includes a normally unmanned wellhead platform. 

Source: norskpetroleum.no