Aker BP has started production from the Skarv Satellite Project in the Norwegian Sea, bringing three new fields online simultaneously and doing so a full year ahead of the original schedule.

The project, which encompasses the Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Ørn fields, represents approximately 120 million barrels of oil equivalent of recoverable resources and is expected to generate significant output in the Skarv production area for years to come.

Three Fields, One Integrated Project

The Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Ørn fields are situated near the Skarv field in the northern part of the Norwegian Sea. Each has been developed as a separate subsea development, but all three were coordinated under the umbrella of the Skarv Satellite Project.

The structure of each development is consistent across all three fields, with each consisting of a subsea template and two wells tied back to the existing Skarv floating production, storage, and offloading vessel, known as the Skarv FPSO.

The coordination of three distinct field developments through a single integrated project enabled shared infrastructure and streamlined project execution. According to Aker BP, this approach allowed for efficient resource utilisation across all three developments simultaneously.

Ahead of Schedule and Within Cost Controls

The early production start has been highlighted by Aker BP as a demonstration of the efficiencies achievable through its operating model.

Karl Johnny Hersvik, CEO of Aker BP, described the milestone as significant not only for the Skarv Satellite Project itself but for the broader portfolio of subsea tie-back projects the company sanctioned in 2022. "With the start-up of SSP, we have now delivered the entire portfolio of subsea tie-back projects sanctioned in 2022," Hersvik said.

"The projects have been delivered safely, with high quality and strong cost control, and on or ahead of schedule." Hersvik credited the outcome to collaboration between Aker BP's employees, alliance partners, and suppliers, stating that the achievement was one the entire organisation and its partners could be proud of.

Alliance Model Drives Execution

The project was executed using what Aker BP refers to as its alliance model, a framework for close cooperation with a defined set of industry suppliers. The alliance partners involved in the Skarv Satellite Project included OneSubsea, Subsea7, Aker Solutions, and Halliburton.

During the drilling phase, Saipem also contributed to the project.

Aker BP noted that approximately 60 percent of project deliveries were sourced from Norwegian suppliers, and that the project contributed to significant regional economic activity as a result.

Low Carbon Intensity Through Infrastructure Reuse

The three new fields carry a combined CO2 intensity of approximately 4.5 kilograms of CO2 per barrel of oil equivalent. Aker BP attributed this relatively low emissions figure to the effective utilisation of existing infrastructure, namely the Skarv FPSO and associated subsea systems, rather than requiring the construction of entirely new production facilities.

The tie-back model, in which new subsea developments are connected to already-operational host infrastructure, is increasingly common in the Norwegian Sea as operators seek to extend the productive life of major installations while limiting capital expenditure and emissions associated with new construction.

Strengthening Skarv as a Production Hub

The addition of three producing fields is expected to meaningfully increase output from the Skarv area and extend the operational life of the hub's infrastructure.

Aker BP stated that production from the Skarv Satellites is expected to account for a significant share of the company's production in the Skarv area for several years, and that the project strengthens the foundation for further development and resource utilisation in the region.

The Skarv FPSO now receives production from the three new subsea templates in addition to its existing operations, increasing flexibility across the infrastructure network.

Licence Ownership Across the Three Fields

The three fields are held under separate licence arrangements with distinct partner configurations. At Alve Nord, operating under production licence PL 127C, Aker BP holds an operator stake of 58.1 percent.

The remaining interests are held by Harbour Energy at 20.0 percent, ORLEN Upstream Norway at 11.9 percent, and JAPEX Norge at 10.0 percent.

At Idun Nord, under licence PL 159D, Aker BP operates with a 23.8 percent interest.

Equinor holds 36.2 percent, Harbour Energy holds 28.1 percent, and ORLEN Upstream Norway holds 11.9 percent. The Ørn field, under production licence PL 942, is operated by Aker BP with a 30.0 percent stake.

ORLEN Upstream Norway holds the largest interest at 40.0 percent, with Equinor holding the remaining 30.0 percent. ORLEN Upstream Norway is the only partner with a stake across all three licence areas, while Harbour Energy participates in both Alve Nord and Idun Nord.

Equinor holds positions in both Idun Nord and Ørn.