The audit was conducted on 27 November 2024.
Background
Snorre A has challenges with small weight margins when positioning drilling rigs in outer positions.
Objective
The objective of the audit is to monitor that Equinor has comprehensive control of the handling of weight, weight margins and associated centre of gravity on Snorre A.
Result
No regulatory non-conformities were identified during the audit, but we observed one factor that we have chosen to categorise as an improvement point. This concerned:
- Inadequate assessment of need to update global analysis following changes to metocean data.
What happens now?
We have asked Equinor to give us its assessment of the improvement point observed by 14 February 2025.
Snorre
Snorre is a field in the Tampen area in the northern part of the North Sea. The water depth in the area is 300-350 metres. Snorre was discovered in 1979, and the plan for development and operation (PDO) was approved in 1988. The field is developed with the facilities Snorre A, located in the southern part of the field, Snorre UPA, located centrally on the field and Snorre B located in the northern part of the field. Snorre A is a floating tension-leg platform for accommodation, drilling and processing. Snorre UPA is a subsea production facility tied-back to Snorre A. Snorre B is a semi-submersible integrated drilling, processing and accommodation facility. Production from Snorre started in 1992.
PDO for the Snorre Expansion Project was approved in 2018. This subsea development will be tied-back to Snorre A and consists of six subsea templates, each with four wells.
Source: norskpetroleum.no