Advertisement

Norway keeps energy contracts at home

Stavanger-based Ocean Installer latest to capitalize on momentum behind one of Norway's largest oil fields.

By Daniel J. Graeber
More contracts for the Johan Sverdrup oil field offshore Norway going to domestic companies. File photo by Maryam Rahmanian/UPI
More contracts for the Johan Sverdrup oil field offshore Norway going to domestic companies. File photo by Maryam Rahmanian/UPI | License Photo

July 7 (UPI) -- Norwegian energy companies said they continued their focus on national procurement as deals build up for the development of the giant Johan Sverdrup oil field.

Subsea energy services company Ocean Installer, which has its headquarters in Stavanger, Norway, said it was awarded contracts to help advance the Johan Sverdrup oil field toward development. Ocean Installer CEO Steinar Riise said in a statement that his company is already involved in "widespread" work with Statoil.

Advertisement

"Project management and engineering will be based at Ocean Installer's headquarters in Stavanger and commence with immediate effect," the company stated.

Johan Sverdrup is one of Norway's five largest offshore oil fields, and contains an estimated 3 billion barrels of oil

Statoil is the majority owner of the project, holding 40 percent working interest. Lundin Norway holds 22.6 percent of the venture, while remaining partners Petoro and Maersk Oil hold 17.36 percent and 8.44 percent, respectively.

Phase 1 of the field's development is currently underway, with the first deliveries expected to begin in late 2019. Industrial partners will begin moving forward with Phase 2 in the second half of 2018.

Advertisement

Contracts worth more than $5.7 billion have been awarded for the project so far, with more than 70 percent of them going to Norwegian companies.

For Norwegian oil and gas production, the country's central bank said the peak was passed more than a decade ago, though the sector as a whole may have been underestimated. On the labor front, some recent gains were reported in the oil and gas sector, though increases were coming off historic lows. Construction and communication trades were among the brighter spots for employment.

Latest Headlines