Aker BP sees it as an important social responsibility to contribute to the development of both new graduates, students and apprentices. The company therefore takes in apprentices every year and this year’s apprenticeships are now out. Being an apprentice provides an unique entry into the offshore industry. You get interesting experiences, varied skills, and become part of an inclusive working environment. Over the course of two years, the participants will complete their apprenticeship so that they can take their vocational certificate.

Peder Lefdal started as an automation apprentice at Alvheim FPSO for Aker BP in September 2021. FPSO means Floating Production Storage and Offloading, a production ship in short. The ship both produces, processes and stores oil and gas.

Peder has worked as an automation/instrument apprentice. During his apprenticeship at Aker BP, he has been part of the maintenance group at Alvheim. There, he has been involved in daily operations in the form of supervision and maintenance of the installation’s automated systems. It involves troubleshooting, EX work (EX equipment is equipment with explosion protection), work on gas turbines, telecommunications and fire and gas systems. He says that everyday life in the maintenance group can look very different from day to day.

– A normal day at work can be very hectic, we have a maintenance programme, which can includes checking that equipment is working as it should. If a fault occurs on other equipment in operation, which is part of our system and has a high priority, we must prioritize this over the planned. With a lot of different work, good colleagues and nice tasks, the days go by quickly.

Peder says that he has enjoyed his time as an apprentice at Alvheim, and that he has been well looked after by the staff around him. As an apprentice, you are also assigned their own supervisor who has primary responsibility for you and who follows you up thoroughly throughout the apprenticeship. Such close follow-up is important.

– As an apprentice at Aker BP, you get to experience a great deal and the days are never the same. There is always something new, exciting, educational and always something happening. I would recommend everyone who has taken a vocational course to apply for an apprenticeship at Aker BP, and especially in the automation subject at Alvheim. Here you get good training and follow-up by skilled and experienced professionals in their own area of expertise, but also just as helpful across other areas, says Peder.

Peder finished his apprenticeship with us in February, and passed his professional test at the end of January. He is now a certified automatic technician and will be temporarily employed in Alvheim for the next 6 months. After that, he hopes to get a permanent job at Aker BP, and to either continue working at Alvheim, or to test other installations.

You can read more about our apprentice positions and submit an application under:

Aker BP sees it as an important social responsibility to contribute to the development of both new graduates, students and apprentices. The company therefore takes in apprentices every year and this year’s apprenticeships are now out. Being an apprentice provides an unique entry into the offshore industry. You get interesting experiences, varied skills, and become part of an inclusive working environment. Over the course of two years, the participants will complete their apprenticeship so that they can take their vocational certificate.

Thea Uglum Håland started as an apprentice at Aker BP in the autumn of 2021, and works now with logistics at the Valhall field. Thea finishes her apprenticeship in August. The workday of a logistics apprentice rarely looks the same. The duties may include helping on deck, packing containers, contributing to lifting operations, planning and executing when supplies are received from supply ships, ordering goods and clearing warehouses. This is in addition to other ongoing work. Everyday life is varied, but there is always enough to do.

Thea has also acquired additional skills through various courses. Deck competence enables her to contribute with lifting operations, and helideck competence enables her to contribute when helicopters arrive. This makes everyday life even more varied, while also increasing her experience.

– I appreciate that Aker BP wanted to give me the extra skills, it is beneficial both for them and me when I leave after the apprenticeship, says Thea.

She feels that the best thing about being an apprentice is that you get the opportunity to try and fail, and to learn from your mistakes. There is great openness about asking questions, and you’re thoroughly followed up. It also didn’t take long to get into the department she was going to work in, and she feels that they have become a kind of family no. 2.

– It’s a bit of the charm of working offshore, that you get to know your closest colleagues so well that in some ways you become one big family, where you adapt and care for each other, she adds.

One challenge Thea mentions about working offshore is that things often take a little longer than you would like. This is often because there are strict rules and security measures offshore. This generally applies to work offshore, and it can be frustrating, but it is also important that the regulations are in place and work as they should.

Another challenge has been that the curriculum for apprentices is usually based on work on land, and that you cannot complete everything while you are offshore. But this has been solved by setting aside time during the apprenticeship to carry out the relevant tasks on land.

Aker BP is now recruiting new apprentices starting in September 2023, and Thea is clear in her recommendation:

– I would certainly recommend others to apply for an apprenticeship at Aker BP. I think Aker BP is a very good company to be an apprentice in. You are seen, you are well received by everyone – especially offshore – and there are many good people with a lot of knowledge that they are more than willing to share, she says.

When Thea finishes her apprenticeship in August, the plan is to apply offshore for a similar position as she has today.

– However, you never quite know what the market will be like in the autumn, but the goal is to continue working offshore. It will be exciting to see, she says.

You can read more about the apprenticeship positions below. Remember to apply by the 24th of February 2023.

Aker BP sees it as an important social responsibility to contribute to the development of both new graduates, students and apprentices. The company therefore takes in apprentices every year and this year’s apprenticeships are now out. Being an apprentice provides an unique entry into the offshore industry. You get interesting experiences, varied skills, and become part of an inclusive working environment. Over the course of two years, the participants will complete their apprenticeship so that they can take their vocational certificate.

Thomas Bakker started as a process technician-apprentice at Aker BP in the autumn of 2021 and now works in an offshore rotation on the Ivar Aasen platform in the North Sea. He will finish his apprenticeship in September, but time seems to have flown by since he started.

As a process technician, you often have responsibility for a certain area out in the facility. The tasks may involve clearing equipment that others will work on, maintaining equipment, as well as having overall control over the work that is done in the area you are responsible for. As an apprentice, you also move around a bit to see how different types of work are carried out and followed up. In addition, Thomas has also gained insight into how other departments work, such as mechanics, automation technicians and electricians. It builds a broader understanding, which always comes in handy.

He feels that he has worked in a very good working environment which has facilitated learning. He was told early on that there are no stupid questions, and that it will be expected that you ask if you have questions. It also didn’t take long before he felt like an integrated part of the group at Ivar Aasen.

At the same time, he mentions that it took some time to get used to the offshore rotation itself.

– It is a rather unusual way of working, and it takes some time to get used to it. It is important to find something to do when you are at home. I work on the theoretical stuff when I’m at home, and then I can try it out in practice when I’m out. It’s important to keep your mind active while you’re at home, especially now during the apprenticeship-period, he says.

Thomas believes there are several reasons why you should apply for an apprenticeship at Aker BP if you get the opportunity.

– It is a very inclusive environment with a lot of clever minds, who are good at including me in processes and experiences that can be useful for me to take part in. It is also a very open environment, and they appreciate bringing in a new set of eyes that may be able to contribute with new perspectives and points of view. That is very important.

This year, Aker BP is advertising apprenticeships in the process-, mechanics- and automation fields. You can read more about the positions via the links below. The application deadline is 24 February.

TechnipFMC is awarded a contract for three field developments at the Utsira High in the North Sea. The contract comprises engineering, procurement, construction and installation of subsea production systems, controls, pipelines, and umbilicals. The three fields will be tied back to the Edvard Grieg and Ivar Aasen production platforms.

The team from TecnipFMC has for the past two years been conducting the FEED phase for the Symra, Solveig phase 2 and Troldhaugen projects. So, we’re delighted to be able to continue the good cooperation through the construction and installation phase, said Stine Kongshaug McIntosh, VP Projects Execution for Edvard Grieg and Ivar Aasen in Aker BP.

The three developments will be bundled into one joint project in the execution phase, named Utsira High Project. Utsira High Project will develop recoverable resources of 124 million barrels oil equivalent. Drilling will commence in third quarter 2025, while production start-up is scheduled for first quarter 2026 for Solveig and Troldhaugen, and first quarter 2027 for Symra.

Solveig Phase 2 and Troldhaugen will be tied back to Edvard Grieg, while Symra will be tied back to Ivar Aasen for a partial processing before final processing at the Edvard Grieg platform.

Edvard Grieg was designed and built as a field centre with the capacity to be a host platform for new fields in the vicinity. Edvard Grieg is also the host platform for the Solveig field (phase 1) and for test production from the Troldhaugen discovery. The Ivar Aasen field was a coordinated development with the Edvard Grieg field. Oil and gas from Ivar Aasen are transported to the Edvard Grieg platform for final processing.

All producing fields on the Utsira High will be operated with electrical power from shore. Hence the CO2 emissions from the production phase will be very low.

Significant ripple effects

It is expected that more than 60 per cent of value creation from the Utsira High Project will be in Norway, and secure around 10.000 FTE’s.

-This represents a relative high share of domestic content for a development project on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, said Stine Kongshaug McIntosh.

Fabrication and testing will take place in Bergen, Stavanger, Kongsberg, Horten and Orkanger, among other locations. Engineering work will be performed out of Lysaker and Kongsberg.

Production licenses and partnerships

Symra – PL 167, 167B, 167C:
Aker BP 50 percent (operator), Equinor 30 percent, Sval Energi 20 percent

Solveig Phase 2 – PL 359:
Aker BP 65 percent (operator), OMV 20 percent, Wintershall Dea 15 percent

Troldhaugen – PL 338C:
Aker BP 80 percent (operator), OMV 20 percent

Aker BP sees it as an important social responsibility to contribute to the development of both new graduates, students and apprentices. The company therefore takes in apprentices every year and this year’s apprenticeships are out now.

Being an apprentice provides a unique entry into the offshore industry. You get interesting experiences, varied skills, and become part of an inclusive working environment. Over the course of two years, the participants will complete their apprenticeship so that they can take their vocational certificate.

To show what life as an apprentice is like at Aker BP, we have spoken to some of those who started as apprentices in the autumn of 2021. First up is Ida Pettersen. Ida is an apprentice in the electrical apprentice and works on the Ivar Aasen platform. Her daily tasks consist of operating and maintaining the electrical system, and ensuring that EX integrity is maintained at all times. EX equipment is electrical components that are designed in such a way that flammable gas that may be in the vicinity cannot be ignited.

The apprenticeship mainly takes place in offshore rotation, with two weeks out and four weeks off. Ida says that she has enjoyed the rotation, but says that the only challenge has been that the free period can become a bit too long.

– I feel that it can be a bit too long with four weeks off. But I think this has been solved in a good way by either studying on my own or by being given assignments. As of right now, I am working on preparing for the VG3 exam, which you have to take in order to take the certificate of completed apprenticeship. It can be an advantage to find some ways to stay » academically warm» during the weeks off, she adds.

She says that the best thing about being an apprentice has been that everyone has been very interested in teaching her what they know. The threshold has been low for asking questions, and she has gotten good explanations of what she was wondering about. They also take the time to go out into the facility to show and explain if it is necessary, which is greatly appreciated.

Ida will finish her apprenticeship in a year, but says she would like to continue as an electrician offshore if the opportunity presents itself. She has enjoyed herself at Ivar Aasen, but says that she is also open to working on other installations.

– I highly recommend others to apply for an apprenticeship at Aker BP. You get to know the people you work with very well, and you are well taken care of. Aker BP is a relatively young company where a lot is happening all the time. It is also a company that is constantly growing, which also means that a lot of exciting things happen, Ida says.

Right now, Aker BP is advertising new apprenticeships starting in September this year. Read more below and apply before 24 February 2023.

Having insight into several parts of the organization is very positive for new employees, regardless of which department you work in. That is why we announce graduate positions every year. These are permanent jobs where there is extra focus on learning across departments and disciplines the first year. This means that you get a broader understanding of what other departments do, and which projects they work on on a daily basis.

This time the graduate assembly took place at Aker Solutions’ yard in Egersund. Aker Solutions is an alliance partner for Aker BP in both the Fixed Facilities Alliance, Wellhead Platform Alliance, Subsea Alliance and Modification Alliance.

The alliance model is special for Aker BP, and the goal of restructuring the value chain in this way is to create value for all parties through long-term cooperation. By blurring the lines between customer and contractor, it means that Aker BP is involved from the start and that the alliances can work as their own organisation. It also means that the risks and rewards are shared, which leads to more trust between the alliance partners.

In addition to a tour of the shipyard, the participants also received a detailed presentation about the Yggdrasil project and the SRU project at Valhall, which Aker Solutions is currently working on. SRU stands for Sulphate Removal Unit and the project’s aim is to remove hydrogen sulphides from the gas at Valhall. The Yggdrasil project delivered PUD just before Christmas, and Aker Solutions will be a very important partner throughout the project.

– What I found most exciting was hearing about the Yggdrasil project and how they think from a pre-OPS perspective. At the same time, it was interesting for me, who sits at an office, to see how the fabrication takes place out in the shipyard. Things truly are bigger than you get the impression of from a GA drawing, says Øyvind Jia-Chen Åslie, who is a graduate and works as a Flow Assurance Engineer at Aker BP.

This was the second to last gathering for the 2022 graduate programme. They have previously gotten to know how Aker BP works strategically with digitalisation, strategy, as well as trying out the simulation tool OilSim, which covers the entire value chain in our part of the industry.

– So far I have really enjoyed the graduate programme. It is a well-thought-out plan where we get an overall understanding of what the various departments in Aker BP are doing. In addition, we get to know other graduates , and you get a small network of colleagues who are at the same place in their professional career, which I think you will benefit from later, says Øyvind.

Graduate positions are advertised in August of the previous year, with an application deadline in September.

The Edvard Grieg and Ivar Aasen production platforms on the Utsira High area in the North Sea are now operated with electric power from shore. Two gas fired turbines have been shut down, and thus we achieve a significant reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.

“We achieve several positive effects by getting electricity from land, both operationally and in terms of reduced emission of greenhouse gases”, said Kari Nielsen, Asset Manager Edvard Grieg & Ivar Aasen, in Aker BP.

“By shutting down the gas turbines, we reduce emissions of CO2 from the production phase by around 200,000 tons annually, or around 3.6 million tons over the life of the field. In addition, we reduce operating costs since we will no longer operate our own power plant on the platform”, Kari Nielsen said.

The gas-powered turbines on the Edvard Grieg platform have supplied both fields with the necessary power and heat since start-up in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Edvard Grieg were prepared to receive electricity from shore right from the construction phase back in 2012 to fulfill requirements from the authorities. In 2014, the Parliament (Stortinget) decided that a solution for power supply from shore should be developed for Johan Sverdrup, and the other installations in the Utsira High area should be connected in conjunction with phase two of the Johan Sverdrup development.

The project has been carried out as two sub-projects. A project for the installation of the seabed cable between Johan Sverdrup and Edvard Grieg, and a project for the development and installation of a solution with electric boilers that ensures the necessary heat required in the process plant. This has required adaptation and technology qualification of equipment that was initially developed for use on land.

The project is delivered on time and cost, without injuries to personnel. NKT HV Cable has delivered the power cable. The boiler package has been developed and built by Parat Halvorsen, while Aker Solutions has prepared and installed the boiler package on board Edvard Grieg.

Aker BP has won two prestigious awards in the “Awards of Excellence” by The Energy Council. CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik accepted the awards on behalf of Aker BP at a ceremony in London Tuesday night. 

Aker BP won in the two categories best “Mid Cap” and “Deal of the Year”. 

It is the acquisition and integration of Lundin Energy Norway that is awarded “Deal of the Year”.  

The jury states; “With the integration of Lundin, Aker BP is the largest listed E&P company focused exclusively on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and has been lauded across the sector. 

Lundin held a portfolio of high-quality, low-emissions assets and synergies, that came at a premium but were worth every penny. Any deal of such size and stature will be challenging to get over the line, however in this instance, it was done so with superb and ultimately, successful execution.” 

The jury also mentions the acquisition of Lundin in the “Mid Cap” category as well; 

“Having previously struggled to compete for capital within the BP business, under the new structure Aker BP has seen successful expansion. Most notably, the 2022 acquisition of Lundin provided more scale and enhanced greening credentials. Following the merger Aker BP is working on a total of 15 development projects on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and is set to invest over $15billion in the area over the next 5-6 years. This investment is expected to increase production by 125 000bpd by 2028, a significant addition to the company’s current 400 000bpd.» 

Aker BP’s CEO, Karl Johnny Hersvik was proud to accept the awards. 

Read more about the awards here.

Innsiktsprisen is the Norwegian Computer Association’s innovation award, and the prize was awarded on November 17th. The Wells value stream-team, a collaborative project between Aker BP and Inmeta, won.

The team has developed a solution for automatic interpretation of underground data. The new tool uses algorithms and machine learning on data from well logs to solve two problems that are fundamental to be able to handle a wide range of challenges in the interpretation of well data.

One of the challenges is called ‘BadLog Flagging’. This means quality-assurance of large amounts of data before they are further interpreted. This is normally manual work that is time-consuming, but is also very important, as bad data can ruin future interpretations. Therefore, it is important to ensure good quality in the data material.

The second area is ‘Shale volume interpretation’. This is the first interpretation of the data, and at the same time the most time-consuming and subjective. Here, you try to understand where and how big the reservoirs are. All interpretation beyond this point is affected by these.

An automated solution that ensures quality and consistency of input data is of great value to the company. – It was incredibly great that our team won this year’s insight prize. Being recognized in this way for the work we have done gives us motivation to further develop the project, says Martine Dyring Hansen, who is a Data Scientist at Aker BP and is part of the Wells value stream.

Geophysicist Jan Erik Lie from Aker BP receives the OG21 Technology Champion award for 2022 for his efforts in developing and using new technologies for understanding the underground. Congratulations!

The award took place at the OG21 forum organized by the Norwegian Research Council on November 16th. The Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland presented the award. He pointed out that understanding the underground forms the basis for value creation from the Norwegian continental shelf, and the results from Jan Erik Lie’s work have therefore benefited both Norwegian society, suppliers and energy companies.

A total of 18 people or organizations were nominated. Jury leader Roy Ruså, who is digitization director at Petoro, said that many of the nominees could have been worthy winners of the award. But that Jan Erik Lie was still considered the best candidate this year because of the many, important technologies that he has been driving.

Jan Erik Lie is an Advanced Geophysicist at Aker BP. He has been central to the development and introduction of the technology TopSeis for seismic acquisition, which has been used in several areas of the Barents Sea, and for the use of machine learning in the processing and interpretation of subsurface data. Jan Erik is recognized and respected for his profession far beyond Norway’s borders.

In his acceptance speech, he pointed out that he accepts the award, not only on his own behalf, but for the community of which he is a part of. And that important factors for success in the development of new methods and technologies are to dare to try, and to allow yourself to make mistakes. You learn a lot from mistakes.

This is the second time the OG21 Technology Champion award has gone to an Aker BP employee. In 2019, Kalle Hersvik won as one of two winners. He shared the award with Bjørn Rudshaug from Equinor.