Statoil has applied for consent to carry out manned underwater operations in 2013 with reference to an existing contract for diving services with Technip Norge AS. Pursuant to a cooperation agreement, ExxonMobil and Gassco will also be able to use this contract.
The manned underwater operations will be carried out from DSV Skandi Arctic, the primary vessel and DSV Wellservicer as the secondary vessel, as well as the light diving vessel LDC Technip Sea Hunter.
The consent relates to manned underwater operations down to a water depth of 180 metres and includes defined and undefined operational and project tasks, as well as repair standby.
The defined tasks relate to work in connection with installation and/or repair of subsea pipelines and connections on Valemon, Gudrun and Volve.
The consent also applies for undefined operational and project tasks which could be needed during the period, related to the companies’ production licences and pipeline systems. This also includes pipelines on foreign shelves under Norwegian jurisdiction. The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) must be informed in advance should such needs arise.
Furthermore, the consent also includes any surface-supplied diving operations that could be needed during the period. The PSA must also be informed in advance in this case.
Statoil has applied for consent on behalf of the three companies that use the contract with Technip. ExxonMobil has also sent its own application. The PSA has granted consent to each company to emphasise the individual company’s responsibility for ensuring compliance with the preconditions of the consent and that the activities are prudent and comply with regulations.
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Press Release, January 9, 2013; Image: North Stream