The subsea field Vigdis has been producing oil through the Snorre field for more than 20 years. Field production will now be boosted by almost 11 million barrels.

Equinor and its partners have decided to invest some NOK 1.4 billion in Vigdis boosting station, expected come online in the first quarter of 2021.

Increase production

“This is an improved oil recovery project which includes a multiphase boosting station that will increase production from existing wells. This adds new oil barrels at a highly competitive price,” says Torger Rød, Equinor’s senior vice president for project management control in a press release from Equinor.

The boosting station will be connected to the pipeline to enhance the capacity between Vigdis and Snorre A, and will help bring the well stream from the subsea field up to the platform. Thanks to the boosting station wellhead pressure can also be reduced, which further increases production from the wells.

Contract to OneSubsea

The contract for delivering the boosting system, including subsea template and trawling protection, has been awarded to OneSubsea. The contract value is estimated at NOK 700 million.

Engineering starting in December 2018 in Bergen, the assembly will take place at the OneSubseas' plant at Horsøy near Bergen.

Fabricate the pump

OneSubsea will use several sub-contractors, including Framo Flatøy fabricating the pump and Luster Mekaniske Industri fabricating piping. A total of 500 people will be involved in delivering the Vigdis boosting station.

When the Vigdis field came on stream in 1997 it was assumed that the field would produce 200 million barrels of oil. So far, the field has produced twice as much.  Recoverable resources from Vigdis are now estimated at 455 million barrels of oil.

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