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.
Jan Erik Lie is Technology Champion 2022!
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.
Rebels with a cause
If you set high goals, you must find new ways to reach them. Challenge established truths. Find new ways of working. Improve all aspects of our operations.
We want to change the oil and gas industry. We are the rebels seeking radical improvements. At Aker BP, we welcome the rebels – because we will achieve something meaningful. Important to us and vital to you.
We are a rebel with a cause.
Aker BP is a proud pure play upstream oil and gas company operating on the Norwegian continental shelf. Access to energy is essential for our modern way of life, and we produce much-needed energy for the world. Not only will we continue to do so over the following years – we will increase our production significantly.
That means more energy supply to the world, investments of more than NOK 200 billion – which translates into ripple effects all over Norway – and significant value creation to the society.
The world is changing – rapidly. And the oil and gas production cannot continue like before. That is why we intend to change our industry.
We want the industry to work closer together and share more.
We will build the foundation for new industries to emerge.
We will reduce emissions from our operations.
And we will increase our profitability.
Oil and gas will be essential for decades to secure energy for the world’s population. We believe that tomorrow’s winners will be oil and gas producers with the lowest emissions and costs.
Being a winner is what we aim for, and we begin by reducing our emissions. Therefore, we pledged to become a net zero emission company by 2030.
Managing shared natural resources means, at the same time, managing the trust that has been placed in us. We take this responsibility seriously. That is why we will maximise value by utilising available resources in the best possible manner.
We are already the largest private Norwegian taxpayer, but we want to go further. The global upheaval in the energy chain affects us all. It is a shift that will require massive financial resources. By maximising value creation, we provide our owners and society with capital. In turn, they can invest in alternative energy sources and new industries.
We will digitalise, automate and robotise the future of oil and gas exploration and production.
We are rebels, revolutionising productivity for the cause of energy production and value creation.
Aker BP is developing digital operations twins in cooperation with its strategic partners Aize and Cognite. The ambition is to contribute to software that can be scaled to other companies and industries, thereby creating values extending far beyond Aker BP.
“The need for clean energy delivered in a secure and safe manner has never been greater. As an oil and gas producer, Aker BP needs to think outside the box. Our commitment to the digital operations twin will make Aker BP more competitive. We are going to be a safer and more reliable operator, with reduced emissions. This will allow us to deliver better solutions for the world’s energy needs,” says Hege Fjell Urdahl, Aker BP’s VP Integrated operations.
A digital twin is a digital version of a physical object, for example a pump, a platform or the whole field. A digital twin starts with a foundation of static data such as 3D models, map data or equipment information. Adding real-time data breathes life into the twin. This data could include pressure or temperature readings from the process, work permits or weather data.
The data are accessible, both for visualisation in digital workspaces or 3D models, or in order to expand insight through machine learning and artificial intelligence.
All operations data available in the same place
In order to operate oil and gas fields, you need to be in full control of the facilities’ performance, maintenance and safety. It can be difficult to see the big picture when vast volumes of data are spread across different applications.
Aker BP is solving this in collaboration with Aize and Cognite by developing a digital twin for operations, which will connect people in a digital workspace with all operations data available at their fingertips.
Data from Aker BP’s fields is extracted using Cognite Data Fusion (CDF), which contextualises and structures the data. Then they can be utilised and made available through various applications.
The end user can use the Aize workspace to connect to the information and tools they need to cooperate and make better decisions.
“We breathe life into the digital operations twin by connecting real-time data from pumps, equipment sensors, pressure gauges, satellites or drones. Using these data in advanced digital tools gives us predictability in upcoming maintenance and allows us to optimise our operations»
Lars Kaasa
Digital maintenance transformation lead
“The digital operations twin will create a safer workplace, lower costs and emissions, in addition to increasing production through data-driven insight and decisions. It will streamline our processes and take field operations to a level we’ve never seen before. Our ambition is for this to create value and have an impact on both existing and future fields»
Ine Dolve
SVP Operations & asset development
Digital project execution
Aker BP is transforming development and operation of assets through digital technology. The company is digitising project execution in the development of the NOAKA area. Data is collected digitally and made available to everyone involved in the project – increasing efficiency and reducing engineering hours.
In 2027, first production is expected from the large NOAKA area in the North Sea. Aker BP is operator of the southern part of the area – NOA Fulla. Together with strategic partners Aker Solutions, Aize and Cognite, Aker BP is transforming project execution with digital solutions.
The project team creates a digital representation of NOA Fulla and all the data is made available to the end-user in the Aize workspace.
“I can visualise, navigate, collaborate and work on a digital representation of the NOA Fulla field».
Vidar Otnes
Commissioning Manager, NOA Fulla project
All data in a single workspace
“Through the Aize workspace, I can already now visualise how the NOA platform will look in the future. I can familiarise myself with the installations and check that the design meets my needs. If not, I can give feedback on the design,” explains Vidar Otnes, Commissioning Manager in the NOA Fulla project.
Otnes is responsible for ensuring that everything is tested before the systems and platforms are handed over to operations and first oil in 2027.
“In the past, I had to search in several different systems to collect siloed and scattered data. Through Aize I have access to all this data digitally, in one single workspace,” Otnes says. .”
Vidar Otnes
Better visualisation of construction method
“Visual construction planning” is one of the modules within Aize.
Anders Tore Børtveit is Construction Method Lead for the NOA topsides in Aker Solutions. He is involved in developing the module for visual construction planning.
The NOAKA development is currently being matured towards a final investment decision and submission of Plan for Development and Operation before the end of 2022. Pending approval by the Norwegian authorities, the plan is to cut the first steel for the NOA topsides at the Aker Solutions yard at Stord in 2023.
“I will be responsible for the construction method. High efficiency and quality in project execution are essential to make large capital projects valuable in an increasingly demanding market,” says Børtveit.
«3.7 million construction hours are estimated for the NOA project at the Stord yard. When the NOA topsides sails from our yard in 2026, I am confident that our new digital tools will have helped us do the work right the first time.”
Anders Tore Børtveit
Construction Method Lead, NOA topsides – Aker Solutions
Collaboration with vendors
Hundreds of vendors will contribute to the NOA Fulla project. What makes Aize unique, is that it is open to these vendors. Everyone can share data and collaborate together in a joint workspace.
“We review and collaborate in the same workspace. We will benefit both in efficiency and quality,” says Commissioning Manager Vidar Otnes.
«The truly great value created from this digital project execution model lies in efficient collaboration. Aize represents a single source of truth for everyone involved in the development project. And what we are developing here, is not just transforming the way we work with this project. It is scalable to any other project or industry –exactly in line with Aker BP’s strategy».
Vidar Otnes
Commissioning Manager, NOA Fulla project
Digital project execution
Aker BP and Aker Solutions provide source data to Cognite Data Fusion (CDF), an industrial DataOps platform. It contextualises operational asset data at scale in real-time. Aize builds applications on top of the CDF to make sense of the data and make it available for the end user.
Next generation field development planning
Aker BP and Halliburton are revolutionizing well planning and construction. Through Halliburton’s IEnergy® cloud solution, Aker BP increases efficiency, and reduces well risk and well cost. The next step is planning software for entire field concepts, covering both subsurface and well construction.
“We have successfully implemented Collaborative Well Planning for optimal well placements, reduced risk and increased resources. We are close to designing a well in a day with high quality in the open Digital Well Program® built on Halliburton’s IEnergy solution. With Field Development Planning we are accelerating our digital transformation to the next level,” states Tommy Sigmundstad, SVP Drilling and Wells for Aker BP.
“We build on a close and collaborative relationship over many years. We combine this with expertise, transformative and game-changing technologies that Aker BP and Halliburton have brought together, and agile work processes,” adds Chandra Yeleshwarapu, senior director at Halliburton Landmark.
Collaborative Well Planning
In Aker BP’s onshore operating centre, a team is focussing on a Collaborative Well Planning session involving a new central platform project in the Valhall area in the North Sea.
Collaborative Well Planning is an integrated way of working. In the session, the subsurface team collaborates with Drilling and Wells in real time with all subsurface data available in the software where the well trajectories are created.
“Through Collaborative Well Planning all disciplines contribute to the well planning resulting in efficient, stable and productive wells, explains Sindre Hadland, senior Geologist.
There are already 400 wells drilled on the giant Valhall field. Now the team is placing an additional 16 wells to extend the lifetime of the field.
«The goal is to find the optimal path for drilling through the complex overburden and into the reservoir, with as low risk and cost as possible.»
Sigurd Kinn
Lead Drilling Engineer
For the new central platform project in Valhall, collaborative well planning has reduced well cost and risk, which in turn has improved project economy.
Digital Well Program
Once the team has identified optimal well placements and trajectories, the work is moved into the Digital Well Program. This is where wells are ultimately designed and planned.
Digital Well Program is a cloud application built on an open architecture. It provides a platform for integrated well planning and design, which promotes increased collaboration and connectivity across drilling activities.
“Together with Halliburton we have created an open platform, the Digital Well Program, on their IEnergy solution. One of the important principles in this application is that fact that any third-party application and system can be integrated into our workflow. Data flows freely between the different applications and systems,” explains Arnfinn Grøtte, digitalisation lead well construction.
«When we went live, we had around 25 third party plug-ins in the Digital Well Program. In 2022 this will grow to 60».
Arnfinn Grøtte
Digitalisation lead well construction
Design a well in a day
Through Digital Well Program engineers have access to automated workflows which guide them through the work process to design a well. For senior drilling engineer Jeroen Nijhof well design is now more efficient:
“Before I used Excel and multiple stand-alone applications, where every concept was handled manually which was very labour-intensive. Now I can – in real time – investigate historical data & lessons learned from other offset wells. I can use various types of drilling and well simulation tools,” explains Nijhof, and continues:
“And I can do this while always having a 3D visualisation of my plan. I connect the engineering workflow to third party applications, without spending time worrying about the data quality, because 90 percent is now automated.”
«The Digital Well Program results in increased efficiency and extreme increase in quality of the data sets. This results in reduced risk and uncertainty in our well designs», says Jeroen Nijhof, senior drilling engineer.
Aker BP is now close to fulfilling the ambition of designing a well in a day – with high quality.
“Even better, the open architecture allows for other oil and gas companies to build components that can be contributed back to the platform. This is key to accelerating improvements across our industry»
Chandra Yeleshwarapu
Senior director, Halliburton Landmark
Field Development Planning
The next step in the Aker BP and Halliburton digital partnership is the co-development of a next generation field development planning software. The collaboration delivers a new cloud application – Field Development Planning.
Field Development Planning converts the manual process of collating field development data to make the decision gate process more efficient and auditable and provides a common audit trail across the subsurface community.
«This software will enable us to understand and mitigate risk and uncertainty on a whole new level. Through Field development planning we can understand how engineering work matures during the development phases of a project. This increases efficiency, maximizes value and allows us to make data-driven decisions for entire field concepts», concludes Arnfinn Grøtte.
Secures new, future-oriented offices in Stavanger
Aker BP and Aker Solutions have signed a long-term agreement with owner and real estate developer Hinna Park Utvikling (HPU) for modern and energy efficient office buildings in Stavanger from 2024/2025.
The new office complex will be located seaside near the leaning tower in Jåttåvågen. The total contruction cost is NOK 2 billion.
«This is a great and important milestone for Aker BP and Aker Solutions. Through the agreement with HPU we secure long-term, modern and future-oriented offices for the good of the Aker companies in Stavanger. It also reflects our intention to continue with a high activity-level for many years to come», says Marius Gjære, SVP Project Resources and Manager of Aker Solutions Stavanger office.
«The new office complex is tailor made for flexibility and collaboration. The future offices will support our ambition to be in the forefront in the transformation of the oil and gas industry, and will among other things include an integrated operation center for remote operations of our offshore fields», says Ine Dolve, SVP Operations and Field Development and Manager of Aker BP’s Stavanger office.
The development project has been named «Valhall» and will consist of two six -story buildings of a total of 71,000 square meters. Aker BP and Aker Solutions have signed separate long-term leases for a total of 48,000 square meters, split on the two buildings.
There will also be area available for third-party tenants in the office complex. The new buildings will accommodate extensive digital collaboration and efficient execution of activities onshore and offshore. The buildings will be located in close proximity of public transportation, including bus and train.
HPU owns of the property and will be responsible developer in cooperation with main contractor HENT. Construction start is scheduled for September, provided public approvals.
The first phase of the development project is schedule for completion by the end of 2024, while the remaining office space will be ready before the summer of 2025.
The parties have signed a lease agreement with a duration of 10 years for the main part of the office complex. In addition, Aker BP has signed an extended lease agreement for 15 years for a specially designed collaboration center in one of the buildings.
During the coming 10 years, HPU is planning to transform Jåttåvågen to a central residential and business area for the region, with 1500 housing units and 6000 office places that will be developed together with restaurants, parks, public services and swimming area.
With this agreement, Aker BP and Aker Solutions will play a central role in the development of the area.
Facts:
Hinna Park Utvikling (HPU) owns the ground where Aker BP and Aker Solutions’ new office buildings will we located
HPU is owned by Stavanger utvikling KF, Entra, Camar Eiendom and OBOS
Aker BP and Aker Solutions will lease a total of 48,000 square meters divided on the two separate buildings that are a part of the Valhall office complex. They will have separate leasing agreements
The basement floor, which includes parking spaces for cars and bicycles, amounts to approximately 14,000 sqm
The project will be developed as buildings for the future with high focus on environment, quality and sustainable solutions, including energy class A and Breeam-Nor Excellent environmental certification. In addition, Valhall will be built according to the WELL Building Standard
The buildings will be located on either side of the new buss road that is planned through the area
Aker BP has awarded Palfinger Marine Norway a framework agreement for cranes. Palfinger will deliver cranes for the platforms in two major development projects. The company will also further develop remote operations technology and work together with Aker BP during the operations phase for the cranes. The framework agreement aims for increased standardisation and reduced operating costs.
During 2022, Aker BP will make a final investment decision for NOA Fulla in the NOAKA area and a new central platform on Valhall (NCP) with tie-in of King Lear. The framework agreement with Palfinger covers delivery of a total of six electric cranes for four platforms in these two development projects.
“NOA Fulla and NCP/King Lear follow the same timeline and standardising across projects allow us to extract synergy effects that will improve quality and reduce costs,” says Aker BP’s SVP operations and asset development, Ine Dolve.
Palfinger and Aker BP have cooperated for many years, and Palfinger recently delivered four cranes to the Valhall IP platform. The new framework agreement has a duration of ten years with additional options. It is divided into four phases – pre-engineering, implementation, research and development, and operations. The projects have different needs and can therefore adjust requirements and needs within the scope of the agreement.
“We continue to build on the alliance model, and through this framework agreement we have ensured that our partner Aker Solutions has access to capacity with a solid subcontractor in a global market. This allows us to work closely and integrate with Palfinger in the early stages of these projects, and thus achieve even greater improvements in the operations phase. Another important part of the framework agreement is to work together to facilitate remote operations of cranes. We see opportunities for major reductions in operating costs, reduced risk and exposure of personnel through remote-controlled operations,” says Dolve.
When production starts in 2027, the NOA Fulla field will be run from an integrated operations centre in Stavanger. The NOA PdQ platform, the very heart of the NOAKA area, is designed for low manning, and will also be periodically unmanned.
“The operating strategy for NOA Fulla assumes a high degree of remote operations. Finalising this framework agreement for cranes ensures that we can support this strategy,” Dolve concludes.
Aker BP awards contracts worth 440 million kroner
Aker BP has awarded contracts to alliance partners for front-end engineering and design (FEED) valued at approximately 440 million kroner. The contracts cover a new central platform on Valhall, as well as a new platform and tie-in of the King Lear field. The joint development will contribute to extended lifetime and increased value creation from Valhall.
“This is an important milestone in the further development of the Valhall area. Through this development, Aker BP can maximise value creation from an existing field. Moreover, it will contribute to significant value creation for Aker BP, its partners, owners and the Norwegian society,” says SVP Operations & Asset Development Ine Dolve.
Low emissions through power from shore
The concept consists of a new process and wellhead platform (NCP) which has a bridge connection to the Valhall field centre, and an unmanned platform on King Lear around 50 km from the field centre. New infrastructure will be laid on the seabed to connect the two fields. A total of 19 wells are planned, and the concept also includes considerable modification work on the Valhall field centre.
“This development will allow Aker BP to secure continued high production from the Valhall field centre and the flank platforms in the area after 2028. The development also provides access to resources from Valhall and King Lear. Aker BP is planning pre-investments for extra well space on both installations and secure flexibility to tie in of new discoveries as there is still additional upside potential in the area,” says Dolve.
The Valhall area is powered from shore resulting in close to zero emissions during normal operations. The plan is to connect the new installations to the existing power from shore solution.
An alliance project
Pandion Energy is Aker BP’s partner in the Valhall licence. PGNiG is the partner in King Lear, which was discovered in 1988. The partnerships have decided to proceed with the selected concept for NCP and King Lear. Further maturing will now follow through the FEED phase, until a final investment decision and submission of plan for development and operation is planned in late 2022.
“Aker BP has a record-breaking investment programme going forward to 2028. NCP and King Lear will become one of the company’s largest development projects. A large part of the contracts is expected to be awarded Norwegian suppliers. We are talking about significant investments and the development will provide ripple effects throughout the entire country. This will contribute to further development of the Norwegian supplier industry, and secure work at the yards as we move into the energy transition,” says SVP Projects Knut Sandvik.
The plan is to execute NCP and King Lear in the alliance model where Aker BP works together with strategic partners as one team with shared goals and incentives.
The FEED contracts
Aker Solutions as part of the “Fixed Facilities Alliance”: Topsides and jacket for both NCP and King Lear
ABB as part of the “Fixed Facilities Alliance”: Electrical, instrument, control systems and telecom (EICT) for NCP and King Lear
Aker Solutions as part of the “Subsea Alliance”: Umbilicals for King Lear and related subsea infrastructure
Subsea7 as part of the “Subsea Alliance”: Risers and pipelines
Aker Solutions as part of the “Modification Alliance”: Modifications on the Valhall field centre
Longer lifetime for a giant
First production from the development is planned in 2027.
“The ambition is to produce a total of two billion barrels from the Valhall area. A comprehensive modernisation of the area is under way, with the tie-in of new flank platforms, removal of old installations and permanent plugging of wells. Together with NCP and King Lear, this will enable us to operate Valhall up to around 2060,” concludes Valhall Asset Manager Ole Johan Molvig.
Aker BP has set up an art exhibition in front of the Oil Museum in Stavanger. The exhibition shows the development of the Valhall field, from analogue to digital field. Artist Darryn Lee, who works at Valhall, is behind the exhibition.
The Valhall field was developed in 1980 and has produced more than a billion barrels of oil equivalent since it was put into operation in 1982. The field is under development, three platforms have been or will be removed. A new central platform will be built and installed. At the same time, an extensive process is underway to digitalise equipment and work processes. The Valhall field will be able to produce for another 40 years.
Paintings and drawings have been reproduced on steel plates and mounted on steel from the old Valhall quarter platform (QP), which was removed in 2020 and 2021.
See the pictures and hear the artist’s explanation of the art here.
