Johan Castberg Oil Field: No compromise on FPSO safety

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IDENTEC SOLUTIONS has collaborated with Equinor to increase HS&E standards at the Johan Castberg oil field by implementing their personnel tracking assistant system Crew Companion.

Identec Solutions: successful FPSO safety

IDENTEC SOLUTIONS has won its third prestigious North Sea project in a row: Martin Linge, Johan Sverdrup and now Johan Castberg. The project is a central part of the further development of the northern regions and will create substantial value for Norway over a 30-year period. Operated by Equinor (formerly Statoil), one of the world’s largest offshore operators, and with a partnership with IDENTEC SOLUTIONS, the project increases the safety awareness of its workers through the use of the personnel tracking assistant system Crew Companion (see more about worker safety monitoring).

The Johan Castberg oil field is located in the Barents Sea. It is estimated to produce between 400 and 650 million barrels of oil by 2047, using an FPSO+ production vessel. The field is in arctic territory and presents numerous adverse weather challenges, such as storms, extreme wind and freezing temperatures.

Given the hazardous environment, Equinor required an accurate and reliable safety assistant system to localize its personnel in dangerous areas and situations throughout the production vessel. Crew Companion delivers the required real-time visibility for safety by equipping each worker with a transponder. The devices are located via an infrastructure, covering defined areas of the vessels, such as life boats, mustering zones and dangerous sectors. The location of personnel in these designated areas is constantly reported to the control center, providing full visibility for safety of all labor at any time.

“Locating employees promptly is crucial to ensure safety in day-to-day operations and even more so in emergencies,” underlines Dr. Urban Siller, CEO of IDENTEC SOLUTIONS.

Crew Companion also provides access to an automated headcount at various locations throughout the site, thereby ensuring no missing personnel in the defined areas during emergencies. Emergency operations and mustering drills can now be completed 50 % faster than any manual method (learn more about an automated mustering report). Faster drills can save lives in a severe emergency situation by knowing exactly where to locate missing personnel and where to send rescue teams. This is paramount for workers who are exposed to freezing wind, snow or wet conditions. Equinor has access to the digitalized counting process, which reduces the risk of human error.

When implementing the personnel safety assistant system, consideration was given to the harsh and sub-zero temperatures. Due to the site's northerly location, special requirements for the equipment and transponders were required. IDENTEC SOLUTIONS' equipment does not pose any challenges.

“Reliability and robustness are the core values of our solution,” Urban Siller points out, “with an innovative system design that draws on decades of on-the-job experience.”

IDENTEC SOLUTIONS’ system exceeds the most stringent regulations for mustering and crowd control. The system is going to create improved administrative access to critical areas and operate effectively without human intervention, improving the current incident response management. Hardware and software can be remotely administered from both onshore and offshore control rooms.
Factory testing will begin in October 2018 in preparation for the system start-up in 2021.

Johan-Castberg-Map

Update 2024

Equinor said infection control measures and reduced access to labour in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the Johan Castberg project in Singapore, where the hull and living quarters for the production vessel were built, and Norwegian yards constructing modules for the production facility. When the PDO was submitted in 2017, the cost estimate was NOK 57 billion, close to $5.3 billion.

While the investment estimate has grown by close to NOK 13 billion, more than $1.2 billion, compared with last year, the Johan Castberg partnership, formed by Equinor, Vår Energi, and Petoro, updated the project cost estimate to NOK 80 billion, nearly $7.4 billion. The Norwegian giant explains that project costs have grown by more than NOK 15.5 billion, in addition to a currency effect of more than NOK 7 billion.

Equinor emphasizes that the primary driver for the investment estimate increase compared to last year is that the work scope transferred to Stord has been more comprehensive and complex than estimated. In addition, the progress has not been according to plan. Also, market cost development has increased marine operations, drilling, and completion costs. The hull of the Johan Castberg production vessel, including living quarters, was sailed from Singapore to Stord in 2022 for installation and commissioning.

FAQ

What is the Johan Castberg Oil Field, and where is it located?

The Johan Castberg Oil Field is a significant offshore oil field situated in the Barents Sea, approximately 240 kilometres northwest of Hammerfest, Norway. It is one of the largest oil projects in the Arctic region, highlighting Norway's commitment to expanding its oil and gas exploration in the northern seas. Discovered in 2011, the field consists of three main discoveries: Skrugard, Havis, and Drivis. Operated by Equinor (formerly Statoil), the Johan Castberg field is part of Norway's strategic efforts to tap into Arctic resources, ensuring continued energy production and economic growth. The field has an estimated reserve range of 450 to 650 million barrels of oil, making it a crucial asset for Norway's petroleum sector.

What challenges and environmental concerns are associated with developing the Johan Castberg Oil Field?

Developing the Johan Castberg Oil Field comes with significant technical and environmental challenges. Due to its location in the Arctic region, the field experiences harsh and unpredictable weather conditions, which pose risks to offshore operations and require advanced engineering solutions to ensure safety and efficiency. Additionally, environmentalists have expressed concerns about the potential impacts on the fragile Arctic ecosystem. The region's unique wildlife and climate are sensitive to industrial activities, raising worries about oil spills and their long-term effects on marine and coastal environments.

To mitigate these concerns, Equinor and its partners have implemented robust environmental protection strategies, including cutting-edge spill prevention technologies and detailed emergency response plans. Moreover, Norway enforces strict regulatory standards to ensure that oil extraction activities align with environmental preservation principles. This balance between resource development and environmental responsibility remains a pivotal aspect of the field's operation.