ABB to provide digital automation and safety for new Statoil offshore project
ABB announced that it will provide integrated ABB Ability automation and safety systems to Statoil’s new Johan Castberg oilfield development project in Norway. ABB’s solutions and services will help to reduce the CAPEX for the project significantly. Integrated control, safety and communication will be key to the successful operation of this new field.
Located in the Barents Sea, north of the Arctic Circle, the new field will be developed with a floating production, storage and offloading production vessel (FPSO) and subsea installation with 30 wells. The new field has proven volumes estimated at between 400 million and 600 million bbl of oil, and is the world’s largest new offshore oil project.
ABB will provide integrated ABB Ability System 800xA automation and safety systems, including advanced simulation and related services to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of the offshore FPSO. The order is valued at around $25 million.
Working closely with design contractor Aker Solutions, ABB will provide engineering, installation and commissioning for flawless execution of the project and ensure that production runs efficiently from day one of operation.
“Digitalization and advanced safety and automation systems are key to safer, more efficient, more reliable and more environmentally friendly operation of oil, gas and chemical facilities,” Per Erik Holsten, Managing Director ABB Oil, Gas and Chemicals, said. “Combined with our vast experience in advanced process control and subsea and power systems, project execution is streamlined, cost are reduced and long-term operations are safer and more efficient.”
ABB has extensive experience in gas production and optimization and a long history of collaboration with Statoil on numerous projects around the world. All major oil and gas installations above the Arctic Circle in Norway use ABB’s automation and safety systems. This experience, combined with four decades of providing safety and automation systems to the industry, were important factors in this project win, the company said.
The field is scheduled to commence operation in 2022 and will have an estimated production lifespan of 30 years. ABB’s deliveries will start in late 2018.
