BP Norge AS (BP) has applied for consent to use the QP, DP and PCP facilities on the Valhall field beyond their originally scheduled lifetimes. 

BP wishes to use the DP facility as a wellhead platform until the wells are decommissioned, plugged and closed down. The PCP production facility is no longer active and BP wishes to use it as a bridge support for the bridges between the DP and WP facilities.

The PSA has granted BP consent to use these facilities until 31 December 2023. The consent has been given on certain preconditions relating to load analyses and manning criteria.

What does producing life extension involve?

New technology and operating methods as well as measures to improve oil and gas recovery mean that licensees often want to keep existing facilities working past their retirement date.

In many cases, continuing to use facilities beyond their design life makes socio-economic sense. But permitting such extensions at the expense of safety is not acceptable.

BP has also made an application concerning continued use of the QP facility. The PSA has rejected this part of the application.