Åsgard gas field compression station to be powered by Nexans umbilicals

The world's first subsea gas compression station will begin operation at the Åsgard gas field next year after Nexans delivered sophisticated power umbilicals to Statoil, which manages the field. The innovative umbilicals delivered by Nexans combine power, fiber-optic and hydraulic lines in a single cross-section and will be used to transmit power, signals and fluid to compressors and pumps, and for communication between Åsgard A, Åsgard B and the subsea compression station.

Midgard and Mikkel, two seabed satellites tied back to Åsgard are experiencing decreasing reservoir pressure that is needed to transport the well flows back to the semi-submersible platform Åsgard B. The compressor station will help to boost the well flow and increase recovery from these fields. Future deployment of subsea gas compression systems have large potential to improve the recovery rate and extend the lifetime of other subsea oil and gas fields, also.

The station represents a ground-breaking development in subsea technology and a major step towards a complete subsea factory. The development of this technology may also be an important factor in the future development of oil and gas fields in deep water and remote field areas.

For the Åsgard project as a whole, Nexans has designed, developed, qualified and delivered a total of over 180 kilometres of static and dynamic power umbilicals, power cables and fiber-optic cables to Statoil. Nexans has also supplied essential peripheral equipment for the dynamic power umbilicals and one of the largest splicing modules ever installed offshore anywhere in the world.

Dirk Steinbrink, Senior Executive Vice President High Voltage & Underwater Cable Business Group said: "Nexans' technology and expertise will be crucial in ensuring that Statoil is able to maximize the full potential of the Åsgard gas field. The subsea compression station is an important first step on the road to a full subsea factory, and Nexans's contribution to the deployment of the technology will mean that the lives of oil and gas fields around the world are extended for many years to come."

Truls Aarum, project director at Nexans Hybrid Underwater Cables added "We are proud of our position at the cutting edge of this development. The long-term partnership between Statoil and Nexans over many years has been important in facilitating this technological development."

The delivery was recently successfully installed and tested. Nexans' factories in Rognan, Namsos and Halden have all manufactured cables for the project. Other project partners at Åsgard include Petoro, Eni Norge, Total E&P Norge and ExxonMobil.



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