Aasta Hansteen Spar FPSO - A Pioneer in Norwegian Deepwater

Abstract

This paper describes the overall project execution of the Aasta Hansteen field development. The Aasta Hansteen Field development in 1300m water depth is the deepest field developed on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The field is located north of the Arctic circle, in harsh environment, 300km off the coast of Northern Norway, with no other offshore installations in the area. The Aasta Hansteen field is developed with a floating Spar FPSO, using steel catenary risers and polyester mooring lines. The Aasta Hansteen platform will serve as a hub for future discoveries and field developments in the area. The rich gas is exported through a 482km long 36" pipeline (Polarled) to an onshore processing plant at Nyhamna for further processing to sales gas. From there the gas is exported to the European market. Stabilized condensate is stored in the Spar FPSO and offloaded to shuttle tankers.