PSA approves manned subsea ops offshore Norway

The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has issued consents for manned operations in 2021 to be performed by Technip Norge and Subsea 7 Norway.

Equinor signed framework agreements with the two contractors, and via a pool arrangement, Gassco and Vår Energi will also be able to draw on the framework agreements.

In Vår Energi’s case, this applies to the company’s Balder and Ringhorne fields in the North Sea and Goliat in the Barents Sea.

Technip Norge’s parent company TechnipFMC may deploy the DSVs Deep Arctic and Deep Explorer and the light diving craft (LDC) Seahunter for its campaigns.

Subsea 7 can use the DSVs Seven Falcon and Seven Atlantic diving support vessels and the LDC Seven Spray.

The consents cover planned operations and undefined operational and project tasks which might be needed, and relate to the operators’ production licences and pipeline systems, including pipelines under Norwegian jurisdiction on foreign continental shelves.

The framework agreements also cover repair readiness for subsea installations and pipelines. However, the PSA insists on prior warning if emergency situations arise which require manned under-water operations.

Aker BP has also signed a framework agreement with Subsea 7 for manned under-water operations using the Seven Falcon and Seven Atlantic diving support vessels.

Source: Offshore Magazine