Jun 18, 2013 - Aker Solutions has delivered to Statoil a steel template that will be installed at the Asgard field in the Norwegian North Sea. The template is the largest ever built by Aker and is designed to house equipment modules for the world's first subsea gas compression facility. It measures 242 feet in length, 148 feet in width and 85 feet in height. Once on-stream in 2015, the system will provide a needed boost to declining reservoir pressures at the Midgard and Mikkel satellite fields. Statoil and its partners estimate that subsea compression technology will enable the recovery of an additional 280 MMboe throughout the life of the Asgard development.

Jun 17, 2013 - Development drilling is underway at Lundin Petroleum's Brynhild field in license PL148 on the Norwegian side of the Norway/UK maritime border. Brynhild is being developed with 4 wells tied-back to the Haewene Brim FPSO stationed in the Shell-operated Pierce field in the UK sector of the North Sea. Installation of the subsea template and manifold has taken place and topside modifications are underway onboard the FPSO. The development drilling program is being carried out by the Maersk Guardian (350' ILC) and is expected to continue through 2Q 2014. Initial production is expected in 3Q 2013.

Jun 14, 2013 - Total E&P has secured the services of EPC Offshore to support the development of the Edradour gas and condensate discovery in block 206/4 on the UK continental shelf. EPC will provide project management services for the development as part of a 6-month contract worth more than $400,000. Edradour was discovered in 2010 and will be tiebacked to the West of Shetland Laggan-Tormore development project. Total operates Edradour with 75% interest while it partner, DONG, maintains the remaining 25% interest. The partners expect the discovery to begin producing in 2016.

May 31, 2013 - Statoil recently awarded a $170 million contract to Subsea 7 for work to be carried out on the Mariner field development project in the UK North Sea. The contract covers the engineering, procurement, installation and construction (EPIC) of 24-mile rigid flowlines and flexible riser systems with associated subsea structures, protection systems and tie-ins. Offshore activities will begin in 2015 with project completion expected in 2016.

May 30, 2013 - Statoil submitted its Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) of the Oseberg Delta 2 field to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Delta 2 is the eleventh fast-track development for which Statoil has made an investment decision. Recoverable reserves attributed to the field are estimated at 77 MMboe. Production is expected to reach 18,000 boed once the development becomes operational in late 2014. The PDO calls for the use of two subsea templates tied back to the Oseberg Field Center. Statoil's partners in the development include Petoro (33.6%), Total (14.7%) and ConocoPhillips (2.4%).

May 24, 2013 - Burntisland Fabrication (BiFab) was awarded another contract by GDF SUEZ regarding the construction of facilities for the Cygnus development in the UK North Sea. Based on the contract, BiFab's responsibilities include design, procurement, pre-commissioning assistance along with weighing and load-out of the module. Previously, BiFab accepted a contract to build jackets for the four platforms that will be installed at the field. Cygnus is regarded as the largest discovery in the Southern North Sea in the past 25 years. Facilities at the field are scheduled to be operational by late 2015.

May 23, 2013 - Teekay Offshore has reached an agreement with Statoil to provide a floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel for the Gina Krog oil and gas field in the Norwegian North Sea. The Randgrid, a 1995-built shuttle tanker will be converted to serve as the FSO. Once complete in early 2017, the vessel will begin operating under a 3-year charter that includes 12 additional 1-year options. Statoil (58.7%) operates the development on behalf of its partners Total (38%) and Det norske (3.3%).