Equinor extends North Sea Heimdal gas centre operations

Equinor and its partners have decided to extend operations at the Heimdal gas centre in the northern North Sea to 2023.

Located in PL036, Heimdal is a gas processing and distribution hub, consisting of an integrated steel platform and riser platform.

Production from the Valemon gas/condensate field is expected to increase as three to four wells will be drilled this year and next. This, according to Equinor, enables Heimdal to maintain profitable operations longer than originally communicated (2021 or 2022).

The Heimdal field was discovered in 1972. It was developed using an integrated drilling, production, and accommodation platform with a steel jacket. Production started in 1985. Heimdal was reconstructed to a gas processing hub in 2001.

Since start-up in 1985 Heimdal has produced 46 bcm of gas and 7 MMcm of liquid (oil/condensate), corresponding to 332 MMboe. In addition, Heimdal has processed about the same volume oil and gas from the satellite fields Huldra, Skirne, Atla, Vale, and Valemon, Equinor said.

When the operations at Heimdal end in 2023 the remaining gas reserves at Valemon will be transferred to Kvitebjørn and Kollsnes for processing. Gassled will reconnect the dry gas pipelines currently passing over Heimdal to a subsea bypass.

In March 2021, Equinor awarded the Heimdal platform removal contracts to Heerema. The platforms are scheduled to be removed between 2025 and 2027 and brought ashore at Eldøyane, Stord, for scrapping, reuse, and recirculation.

The Heimdal partners are Equinor (29.4% – operator), Petoro (20.0%), TotalEnergies (16.7%), Spirit Energy (28.8%), and LOTOS Exploration and Production (5.0%).

Source: Offshore Magazine