The Valemon field is one of Statoil’s largest development projects on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in the next few years. The recoverable reserves are estimated at 206 million barrels of oil equivalents – including 26 billion cubic metres of gas, five million cubic metres of condensate and one million cubic metres of natural gas liquids (NGL). The plan for development and operation of the Valemon gas and condensate field in the North Sea was approved by the Norwegian parliament in June 2011, and production start-up is planned for 2014.
According to Ivar Aasheim, Statoil senior vice president of NCS field development, development of Valemon involves a fixed platform with a steel jacket for the separation of gas, condensate and water. The normally unmanned platform will be remotely controlled from the Kvitebjørn platform when drilling operations are completed in 2016/17, he said.
According to Mark Dutton, vice president & general manager for Emerson Process Management’s Daniel Measurement and Control in Europe, "This framework agreement recognizes the excellent relationship we have with Statoil, and offers Emerson an exciting opportunity to provide Statoil with fiscal measurement systems and solutions for many years to come. Since opening our Larbert facility in Scotland in 1974, we have supplied a significant number of systems for major North Sea projects such as Troll, Heidrun and Draupner," he added.
In one of the first projects covered by the framework agreement, Emerson will provide ultrasonic metering systems with fully automated controls for the condensate, gas, and HP and LP flare gas. The unmanned, remotely controlled platform will begin production in 2014. At peak, Valemon is expected to produce approximately 3 billion cubic meters of gas annually. “Production from Valemon will enable us to utilize spare capacity in the processing facilities on the Kvitebjørn and Heimdal platforms,” Aasheim said. “Meanwhile, the platform and transport systems provide an excellent basis for the development of further oil and gas fields in the area.
The development partners reportedly will invest almost NOK 20 billion in the platform, pipelines and production wells.
To enhance its support for North Sea customers, Emerson is currently renovating its Daniel Stirling facility in Scotland. Enhancements include a new state-of-the-art training facility, a design development and control panel facility, a service area, and an UKAS calibration laboratory for its fiscal metering products. Emerson also will be investing in local resources, such as service engineers to improve the range of Daniel fiscal measurement services available to the Norwegian market.
