BY EMMA AHMED

In December 2018, ConocoPhillips’ Aasta Hansteen project achieved first gas in the Norwegian Sea, 186 miles (300 km) off the coast of Nordland County in northern Norway. In addition to the production the company will receive from the project, the platform is significant for multiple other reasons: 

• It is the first deepwater development on the Norwegian continental shelf, at nearly 4,300 feet (1,300 meters) deep.
• It is the world’s largest single-point articulated riser (SPAR) platform. 
• The platform weighs about 70,000 tons and stands more than 1,000 feet (320 meters) tall.
• The SPAR was transported to Norway from the construction site in South Korea in 2017; the voyage covered 14,500 nautical miles and took three months to complete.
• The field opens a new gas province on the Norwegian continental shelf.
• The platform was named after one of Norway’s female pioneers.  

“We are pleased to have achieved first production from the Aasta Hansteen project safely and on schedule,” said Dag Sanner, general manager, Norway Partner Operated Assets, Commercial, External Affairs & Libya. “This is a significant accomplishment not only for ConocoPhillips and our partners, but also for Norway as the first deepwater development on the Norwegian continental shelf. We began our journey in Norway nearly 50 years ago with the discovery of the Ekofisk Field and envision a long future ahead on the Norwegian continental shelf.”  

ConocoPhillips holds a 10 percent interest in Aasta Hansteen, which is operated by Equinor.