Overview

The Floating production storage and offloading vessel Skarv FPSO operates 210 kilometers west of the Norwegian coast. Samsung Heavy Industries constructed the FPSO vessel at the Geoje Shipyard in South Korea and has a home port in Sandnessjøen, Offshore Norway. The FPSO vessel has a storage capacity of 875,000 barrels and a production capacity of 85,000 barrels of oil per day, alongside 19 million cubic meters of natural gas per day (670 million standard cubic feet per day) combining 1,140,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day. 

The project commenced production in 2013 and has investment with a total project cost of NOK 17 billion (USD 1.73 billion). The ownership of the FPSO includes Aker BP ASA, holding a 23.84% stake; Equinor Energy AS, owning 36.17%; Wintershall Dea Norge AS has 28.08%; and PGNiG Upstream Norway AS, controlling 11.92%. 

Skarv FPSO location

The Skarv Field FPSO is positioned in the Norwegian Sea, precisely at coordinates 65° 43' 45" N latitude and 07° 39' 04" E longitude. Operating within water depth ranging from 350 to 450 meters, this facility is strategically situated approximately 210 kilometers west of the Norwegian coast (Norwegian Continental Shelf). This location is deemed optimal for offshore oil and gas extraction, despite the harsh environment of the northern part of the North Sea.  

Project Background

The Skarv field was discovered in the northern part of the Northern Norwegian Sea in 1998. The Skarv FPSO began production in 2013, following the approval of its development plan in 2007. The field includes several deposits and connected fields, such as Idun, Ærfugl, and Gråsel. The start-up of Ærfugl phases 1 and 2 in 2020 and 2021, respectively, boosted Skarv's production to over 170,000 barrels per day and reduced CO2 emissions per barrel by approximately 30% from 2022. 

Samsung Heavy Industries constructed the Skarv production vessel at the Geoje Shipyard in South Korea and it was then delivered to its Norwegian home port by powerful tugs Fairmount Sherpa, following a world record-breaking tow. 

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The ownership distribution of Skarv FPSO includes Aker BP ASA (23.84%), Equinor Energy AS (36.17%), Wintershall Dea Norge AS (28.08%), and PGNiG Upstream Norway AS (11.92%). The FPSO processes gas on-site before transporting it via an 800-kilometer pipeline to the Kårstø plant, while oil is offloaded to tankers. 

In December 2022, plans were submitted for the Skarv Satellite Project (SSP), which aims to develop additional gas and condensate field discoveries, namely Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Ørn. These projects, tied back to the FPSO Skarv Idun through subsea templates and wells, are set to enhance infrastructure, increase production flexibility, and extend the FPSOs operational life. The Skarv Idun fields are positioned between the Norne and Heidrun fields, within Production Licenses PL212, PL262, and PL159, at water depths of 350-450 meters. 

Design and Engineering Details

The Skarv FPSO measures 295 meters in length and 51 meters in width; it has a gross tonnage of 111,914 tons and a deadweight of 129,193 tons. The FPSO has infrastructure, including an 18,000-ton topside, a 49,000-ton hull, and a 7,000-ton turret/mooring loads system anchored with 15 mooring lines and connected to subsea wells through 13 risers. It has a storage capacity of 875,000 barrels, an oil production capacity of 85,000 barrels per day, and a gas production capacity of 19 million cubic meters per day (670 million standard cubic feet per day). The vessel also includes 100 single-bed cabins to accommodate personnel.

Project Timeline

Project Cost

Project cost of Skarv FPSO is estimated to be NOK 17 billion (approximately USD 1.73 billion).

Contractors Involved

Current and Future Prospects

The ongoing Skarv Satellite Project (SSP) significantly advances the Skarv FPSO's operational capacity and longevity. With fabrication underway for the first of three subsea manifolds at Aker Solutions' facilities in Sandnessjøen, this project, encompassing the Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Ørn gas and condensate discoveries, is set to extend the FPSO's lifespan. 

Prefabrication activities in Mosjøen and additional engineering and construction efforts in the Helgeland region of Nordland County underscore the project's comprehensive scope. Aker BP Norway's Modifications Alliance with Aker Solutions is pivotal in adapting the FPSO to accommodate these developments. 

Anticipated to commence production in summer 2027, the SSP fields are expected to significantly enhance the Skarv FPSO's output, with projections indicating a production increase to approximately 60% of Aker BP's net production from the Skarv area. Current gas production stands at about 22 million cubic meters per day, and condensate production at 25,000 barrels per day.

Summary

The Skarv FPSO stands as a cornerstone of Norway's offshore oil and gas industry, operating with efficiency and innovation in the challenging environment of the Norwegian Sea. With substantial investments and collaborations from key stakeholders, including Aker BP ASA, Equinor Energy AS, Wintershall Dea Norge AS, and PGNiG Upstream Norway AS, the FPSO has continually evolved to meet the region's energy demands. The ongoing Skarv Satellite Project (SSP) represents a positive FPSO trajectory moment. It promises to extend its operational life and enhance production capabilities by developing additional gas and condensate discoveries. 

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