Lundin Petroleum is ramping up its operations in the Barents Sea off Norway with plans taking shape for development of the Alta (SEN, 33/1) and Gohta discoveries, while an exploration and appraisal campaign will restart this summer.

The company has just asked Aker Solutions to carry out a study for an FPSO unit for the Alta and Gohta oil development, with a shipshape FPSO unit looking like the preferred option.

Gohta was discovered in 2013, while Lundin hit Alta a year later.

Lundin Norway’s managing director Kristin Faerovik told SEN that lessons will be learned from ongoing projects in the Barents Sea. “I’m encouraged by what Statoil has done on Johan Castberg (33/2) and the work they have done there. They are working with engineers that we know well, and of course we have our own experience with Edvard Grieg, ” Faerovik said.

Statoil recently modified its plans for Castberg and is now looking to develop it with an FPSO unit and offloading by shuttle tanker rather than a pipeline to shore.

Faerovik added, “One of the biggest challenges in the Barents Sea is distance, so there is some additional cost in getting the barrels to market. Then we need to find a solution for the gas. That is where the Goliat (33/1) experience will help us. I’m sure we’ll learn from the operational experience they are getting now.”

On Lundin’s Edvard Grieg (32/22) project, which was brought onstream on time and on budget, the engineering also was carried out by Aker Solutions. The living quarters and helicopter deck were delivered by Apply Leirvik, while the jacket was constructed at Kværner Verdal. The platform deck was built at Kværner Stord and Aker Solutions in Egersund.

Faerovik said, “Norwegian yards have always had a very good track record in terms of delivery. That has been their forte and that is going to be important in the future too, and of course the quality of the workmanship.”

Focus on Loppa High

As studies get underway for the Alta and Gohta development, Lundin also will be continuing to focus on boosting the reserves base in the Loppa High area in the Southern Barents Sea.

Lundin estimates that there are 8.8 Bboe of yet-to-find resources in the Barents Sea, with 1 Bboe discovered over the past four years. There have been five recent oil discoveries and two gas finds.

Færøvik added, “The next big thing for us is in the Barents Sea. It holds the largest volume of yet-to-find resources in terms of any basin on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

“We are going to further appraise Alta this summer and then we’re going to go north to the Neiden prospect, which is not too far from Statoil’s Johan Castberg development.”

She said that following on from Alta and Neiden, Lundin will target the Filicudi prospect to the west of Alta. “That licence holds a string of prospects so we are very excited about Filicudi as well. Last but not least there are some humongous structures on offer in the 23rd round, and we have of course applied for some of that. Awards should be made before the summer.”

The wells will be drilled with the Island Innovator, which is undergoing a full winterisation programme at the moment.