Aker BP has started production from the Skarv Satellite Project (SSP), bringing the Alve Nord, Idun Nord and Ørn fields on stream in the Norwegian Sea. The three developments contain approximately 120 million barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources and are expected to extend the productive life and increase the utilisation of infrastructure around the Skarv field.
Production began one year ahead of the original schedule, marking a major milestone for Aker BP and its partners. The three fields are located near Skarv in the northern Norwegian Sea and have been developed as separate subsea projects under a coordinated project structure.
Each development comprises a subsea template with two wells connected to the Skarv floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO). By using existing infrastructure, the project has been designed to maximise resource recovery while keeping emissions intensity low. The Skarv Satellites are expected to have a carbon intensity of around 4.5 kilograms of CO₂ per barrel of oil equivalent.
Karl Johnny Hersvik, CEO of Aker BP, said the project demonstrates the benefits of integrated planning and close cooperation with suppliers and alliance partners. “The start-up of the Skarv Satellites is an important milestone for Aker BP. Through a single integrated project, we have brought three new fields on stream, one year ahead of the original schedule,” Mr Hersvik said. He added that the development strengthens one of Aker BP’s key production areas and is expected to generate value for many years.
The project was delivered through Aker BP’s alliance model, with OneSubsea, Subsea7, Aker Solutions and Halliburton participating as alliance partners. Saipem also supported the project during the drilling phase. Coordinated execution across the three developments allowed the partners to share infrastructure and resources. Around 60% of project deliveries were sourced from Norwegian suppliers, contributing to economic activity in the country and supporting the domestic supplier industry.
“With the start-up of SSP, we have now delivered the entire portfolio of subsea tie-back projects sanctioned in 2022. The projects have been delivered safely, with high quality and strong cost control, and on or ahead of schedule,” Mr Hersvik said. The Skarv Satellite Project is expected to make a significant contribution to Aker BP’s production from the Skarv area in the coming years. The new fields also create additional opportunities for future resource development and more efficient use of existing infrastructure.
Aker BP is operator of the Alve Nord field with a 58.1% interest. Harbour Energy holds 20%, ORLEN Upstream Norway 11.9% and JAPEX Norge 10%. For Idun Nord, Equinor holds a 36.2% interest, Harbour Energy 28.1%, Aker BP 23.8% and ORLEN Upstream Norway 11.9%.
Aker BP is an oil and gas company engaged in exploration, field development and production on the Norwegian continental shelf. The company operates the Alvheim, Eiga, Skarv, Ula and Valhall field centres and Yggdrasil, which is under development. It is also a partner in the Johan Sverdrup field and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker AKRBP.
