Europe

• Region: All
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: 19 Feb, 2025

Amplus Energy Services has acquired the Petrojarl I vessel, marking a significant milestone in the company’s market position.

The purpose-built FPSO unit is renowned as one of the most versatile and widely deported FPSOs in history. Amplus has acquired the Petrojarl I from UK-based Altera Infrastructure. Fully classes, the vessel has recently completed a successful deployment in Brazil.

Notably, this acquisition marks Amplus’ initial vessel ownership, positioning the company to expand its strategy and meet growing market demands. To date, Amplus has focused on delivering innovative field development solutions, offering vessel design and leasing options over direct ownership.

Steve Gardyne, Managing Director at Amplus, said, “This vessel is unquestionably the most flexible and most deployed FPSO in history – and Amplus now has the opportunity to apply our experience and approach to steward it safely and successfully for years to come. The addition of this vessel strengthens our ability to meet growing market demands and ensure we are well-positioned to address client needs.”

Petrojarl I is available for deployment in early production system applications, extended well tests and standalone marginal field developments. Additionally, the vessel is ideal for cost-effective, lower-prediction operations and can support both early-phase and tail-phase production.

Ian Herd, Executive Director, commented, “There is a market opportunity for a trusted, entrepreneurial FPSO contractor operating at the flexible, niche end of the spectrum offering fit-for-purpose vessels at a very competitive price, backed up by a leadership team with extensive operator experience supported by a scalable and aligned set of subcontractors.

“The acquisition marks a significant advancement for Amplus Energy and we look forward to meeting the evolving needs of the industry.”

• Region: North Sea
• Topics: Decommissioning, Well Intervention
• Date: 13 Feb, 2025

Earlier this month Aker BP took over the ownership of the Oda field, located in the Ula area in the southern Norwegian North Sea, from Sval Energi.

Talar Arif, Director of the Ula area, stated, “This is a good example of the excellent cooperation between the license partners in the Ula area. We have a common goal of finding solutions that maximise value creation both in operational and decommissioning phases.

“By transferring the operatorship to Akep BP, Oda will become an integrated part of the optimisation of late-phase operations, as well as the planning and execution of the decommissioning and removal of infrastructure in the Ula area. This will provide both technical and economic synergies in the operational and decommissioning phases.”

Oda is located 14km east of Ula. The field contains two production wells and one injection well tied to Ula.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Feb, 2025

Expro has announced the continuation of its partnership with Perenco-CCS in the UK, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the gas company’s Southern North Sea (SNS) operations.

The agreement extends a relationship spanning almost two decades and solidifies Expro’s role as a key supplier of well intervention services to Perenco since 2012 when the company started acquiring gas assets in the SNS. Over the years, Expro’s services range has expanded to include well testing and tubular running services.

Both parties state they are “excited to work together on the UK energy transition to enable a bright future for the SNS via low emissions domestic gas supplies and by moving carbon capture from concept to reality.”

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Decommissioning
• Date: Feb, 2025

Well-Safe Solutions has received a further contract extension from Eni Energy Netherlands BV to decommission selected subsea and platform wells across the Italian energy giant’s portfolio in the North Sea.

Eni have exercised another 90-day option for the Well-Safe Protector jack-up asset under the new contract. The work will be executed in direct continuation with the previously declared option which commenced in November 2024.

Upon the completion of the latest option for Eni, the Well-Safe Protector will move onto the Spirit Energy contract which was announced in November. By completing the work for multiple operators, Well-Safe Protector will be committed until at least August 2025, with further long-term options agreed with Eni.

The new amendment offers increased flexibility for Eni which has the option to green light an additional 120 days of work to decommission platform wells immediately after the completion of work for Spirit Energy, along with two further options at 180 days each. If these options are exercised, Well-Safe Protector has the potential to remain outside the UKCS until Q4 2026.

Well-Safe Protector has been operational in the North Sea since August 2023, having already decommissioned 25 wells across the Dutch and UK waters for Eni, Ithaca Energy and Neptune Energy.

Phil Milton, Chief Executive Officer at Well-Safe Solutions, said, “Well decommissioning continues to account for a considerable amount of the North Sea’s overall decommissioning activity – with a 50% increase in well decommissioning forecast by OEUK last year.

“Since the Well-Safe Protector first mobilised in August 2023, it has delivered top-quartile operational uptime – ensuring the learnings from continual well decommissioning activity are reinvested into future work scopes. Effective well decommissioning cannot exist without cooperation, and we are looking forward to deepening the partnership we currently enjoy with Eni as we build the foundations of a long-term well decommissioning campaign at this key moment in the North Sea’s development towards a low-carbon future.”

This latest contract continues a period of growth for the business. In November 2024, the company announced two new contracts totalling US$25mn for approximately 170 days of firm work in the North Sea, using Well-Safe Protector and the Well-Safe Defender semi-submersible, for Spirit Energy and an additional global operator.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Feb, 2025

Identifying the urgency of adequate support for North Sea operators, Houston-based offshore innovator, Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore, has appointed Finlay Johnston to lead business development efforts for the company in the United Kingdom.

“There is a long-term need for expert subsea support services in the UK, and by engaging a local representative, we are strengthening our commitment to the region, providing an avenue for North Sea operators to access our proven solutions, and ensuring the supply of quality service and equipment locally,” said TVO President Jim Maher. 

Onboarded via 4C Global Consultancy, where he is a Senior Executive, Johnston will be spearheading TVOs services in the UK region, equipped with a vast range of experiences from commercialising assets to supporting the growth of drilling contractors, well intervention, well abandonment, marine and multi-service companies.

TVO is banking on the reputation of 4C Global Consultancy and Johnston's extensive experience to serve its clients in the UK. "The consultancy has a history of successes that demonstrate their capability, and Finlay’s personal achievements strengthen the value of this partnership,” said TVO Vice President Kevin Chell.

As a local representative, Johnston will supervise TVO's activities in line with Norwegian Shelf Competitive Position (NORSOK) standards and the regulatory requirements of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) to implement the company's expert services such as wellhead cyclic stress reduction, among other offerings. The wellhead is exposed to extreme pressure conditions when massive structures initiate the process of oil & gas extraction. Addressing stress reduction through structural integrity and reliability thus holds immense significance to make the exploration and production process a success.

TVOs other services are aligned with the ambitious targets of conducting the plugging and abandonment (P&A) of more than 200 wells in a year, designed to address the challenges involved. 

Relief for local operators

The North Sea oil & gas scene has witnessed an especially turbulent period since the announcement of the energy profits levy (EPL) in 2022 as a temporary arrangement, but it never went away, with the tax margin seeing a consistent rise with time. To top that, the energy generator levy was announced as well. Under such volatile economic circumstances, TVO's local presence will bring certain relief to regional operators by making its critical technology easily available.

“We ... are continuing to add to our global team,” said Maher on the onboarding of Johnston, which follows the recent appointment of a Country Manager in Australia.

As a commercial leader with more than 25 years of international experience in business development, contracting, and customer relationship management in the energy sector and finance, Johnston has worked with corporate leaders and the C-suite of S&P 500 companies.

“By enhancing the company’s commitment to the region with boots on the ground and aligning with well teams, decommissioning and well management companies, TVO will be able to improve project efficiency with proven solutions that reduce cost and risk for operators in an environmentally sensitive area," he said. 

To know more about the well intervention scene in and around the European Union regions, click here. 

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Feb, 2025

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has highlighted the crucial nature of new technologies in improving and speeding up P&A operations in cementing the UK’s position as a world-leader in cost-effective decommissioning.

Over the last few years, smart technologies have been piloted in the UK Continental Shelf to help the sector build upon its reputation for innovation and cost-efficiency. Despite strong process, many more are still awaiting field trials.

Last month NSTA, along with the Net Zero Technology Centre, hosted a showcase event where more than 20 technology providers displayed their new technology to an audience of around 20 international operators. The event aimed to raise awareness of the technologies and encourage operators to facilitate more field trials every year.

Some of the showcased technologies included alternative materials with the potential to create barriers in the well, such as resigns, polymers and bismuth, and logging and perforating tools designed to make the P&A process more efficient.

In the UKCS, around 1,500 wells will be due for decommissioning between 2026 and 2030, presenting the industry a golden opportunity to test innovative P&A technologies to demonstrate how they can save operators time and money.

Not only do innovative technologies play an integral role in ensuring operators comply with their regulatory obligations in terms of decommissioning assets, but those technologies which prove successful will likely be in demand globally in areas such as Australia, Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico as the demand for decommissioning processes in those basins continues to rise.

Carlo Procaccini, Chief Technical Officer at the NSTA, said, “In the UK, we’re fortunate to have a supply chain which consistently produces ground-breaking technologies for offshore operations, including well decommissioning. However, the full potential of this innovation can only be unleashed if suppliers are given a chance to show what they can do in the field. With the current high volumes of well P&A activity, I encourage operators to offer field trials to progress innovation and make the most of the savings on offer.”

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Jan, 2025

Aker Solutions has entered into a strategic partnership agreement to deliver maintenance and modification services on the assets and projects operated by Vår Energi on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

The partnership also includes Honeywell and StS-ISONOR, building on an already established collaboration model. The contract has been penned for a duration of five years with the option to be extended up to 11 years.

Paal Eikeseth, Executive Vice President and Head of Aker Solutions’ Life Cycle segment, said, “We are proud to be a trusted and strategic partner for Vår Energi. At Aker Solutions, we believe that strong partnerships drive efficiency, foster continuous improvement, and enable a leaner project organisation.”

The partnership aims to create value through joint project planning, safe and efficient execution, collaboration and shared objectives.

Torger Rød, Vår Energi’s Chief Operating Officer, commented, “Aker Solutions, Honeywell and StS-ISONOR represent world-leading technical expertise and extensive experience in areas of strategic importance to our activities. With Vår Energi’s clear growth ambitions, a strong and long-term partnership is crucial.

“We are working purposefully to achieve results through close collaboration, actively utilising our partners’ core competencies. By year-end, we will increase production to around 400 thousand barrels per day, which makes us one of the world’s fastest-growing oil and gas companies.”

Vår Energi’s operations span the entire NCS with a portfolio of 200 licenses and 42 producing fields.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Jan, 2025

The European offshore well intervention market is witnessing dynamic growth, driven by geopolitical shifts and strategic investments in the region. According to industry data, the onshore segment dominates Europe’s oil production landscape, accounting for 65% of rigs. However, the offshore sector, including the Norwegian Continental Shelf and the Mediterranean Sea, is rapidly emerging as a critical area for well intervention activities, particularly due to evolving energy demands and sanctions on Russia.

Norway leads offshore expansion

Russia remains the largest exporter of oil and natural gas in Europe. However, sanctions imposed by European and North American countries have significantly impacted the Russian oil and gas industry. These sanctions, however, present growth opportunities for Norway, Europe’s second-largest natural gas producer, to strengthen its position in the offshore well intervention market.

In 2021, natural gas demand showed recovery to pre-crisis levels and was projected to rise modestly during the forecast period. Exploration activities in offshore regions like the North Sea have surged, driven by Norway’s strategic investments. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2020 offered 30 companies ownership interests in 61 production licenses, with 34 licenses located in the North Sea. This offshore region alone holds 18% of Norway’s undiscovered oil and gas potential, highlighting the growing importance of offshore well intervention activities.

Equinor and its partners have also focused on offshore development, investing NOK 3 billion (approx. US$300mn) in the Statfjord Øst field in 2020. This project involves installing gas lift pipelines, modifications on the Statfjord C platform, and drilling new offshore wells. These interventions are designed to recover an additional 23 million barrels of oil, with production expected to start by 2024.

In recent years, Norway has prioritised sustainable offshore operations. Companies are adopting advanced upstream technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the European Union’s 2030 targets and the long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. These efforts position Norway as a leader in the offshore well intervention market, especially as European countries seek reliable energy sources amidst Russian sanctions.

Conclusion

The European offshore well intervention market is poised for significant growth, with Norway leading the charge. As geopolitical factors reshape energy dynamics, offshore activities will play an essential role in ensuring reliable energy supplies while addressing environmental sustainability.

This analysis is based on the Europe Well Intervention Market report by Mordor Intelligence. For further insights into both onshore and offshore well intervention, visit, Mordor Intelligence.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Jan, 2025

As the dust settles on 2024, Mermaid Subsea Services (UK) Ltd. reports it has achieved a historic milestone by completing plug and abandonment (P&A) services across 30 wells in the UK North Sea throughout the year using the Island Valiant vessel.

This achievement marks the highest-number of vessel-based well decommissioning operations completed in a single year within the region. Looking back at its impressive catalogue throughout 2024, one of the most notable projects for the company was the 21 P&A campaign conducted on behalf of an operator across the Northern and Central North Sea. The project was believed to be the largest vessel-based North Sea decommissioning campaign in history.

Alongside this, Mermaid also completed the first stage of a major North Sea decommissioning contract for Shell UK Ltd., with subsequent phases to follow throughout 2025 and 2026.

Scott Cormack, Regional Director for Mermaid Subsea Services (UK), said, “It has been a monumental year for Mermaid, one that has cemented our position as a major player in the North Sea subsea and P&A market […] Recent research from Offshore Energies UK found that operators need to plug 200 abandoned North Sea oil and gas wells a year to stay on top of targets.”

Following last year’s success, Mermaid will continue to grow its presence in the region further in response to the company’s growing backlog with the introduction of its own dive vessel which is scheduled to enter the market later this year, as well as agreeing to charter the Valiant vessel for another season.

“With new additions, contract wins and completed projects, 2024 was an immensely successful year for Mermaid and we look forward to building on this further in 2025 when we will be bringing on our own dive vessel to the region.”

• Region: All
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Jan, 2025

Halliburton has taken steps to expand its offshore portfolio as it heads into the New Year.

Fresh from the launch of its new advanced well intervention suite, Halliburton is set to acquire Optime Subsea, a company that delivers offshore technology that disrupts conventional methods and supplies technologies and services within subsea intervention, well completion, and well control. Its offerings simplify complex subsea operations, enhance operational efficiency and reduce risks.

This move will see the latter’s umbilical less technology move into Halliburton’s Testing and Subsea division. Subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close in early 2025 according to Optime Subsea who will, in turn, receive access to global markets and resources for further technology development.

“The agreement is a validation of our journey as a company, from a local startup to a leader in subsea technology,” said Jan-Fredrik Carlsen, CEO of Optime Subsea. “We are proud of our roots and the strong commitment of our employees, who have made this success possible. This is a fantastic opportunity to join Halliburton and contribute to further growth and development.”

Shoring up startups

Elsewhere, Halliburton Labs has also announced that five new innovative companies have been added to its collaborative ecosystem. The startups will enter an environment designed to help advance their commercialisation through support from Halliburton’s practitioners and business network. The new companies include:

• 360 Energy: With its In-Field Computing technology, this startup captures flared or stranded gas and monetises it through modular data centres in a bid to provide a valuable solution for resource owners.
• Cella: Providing end-to-end services, Cella advances subsurface mineralisation of carbon dioxide through resource assessment, proprietary injection technology, and monitoring techniques to provide valuable geologic carbon solutions.
• Espiku: Developing solutions that advance water and valuable minerals recovery from brines and industrial produced water streams, Espiuku’s systems allow for rapid deployment in diverse environments to unlock the potential of domestic resources.
• Mitico: The patent-pending granulated metal carbonate sorption technology of Mitico captures more than 95% of the CO2 emitted from post-combustion point sources.
• NuCube Energy: The company’s nuclear fission under development will produce electricity and high-temperature heat for electrical and industrial markets. It targets heat production at temperatures up to 1,100°C for industrial applications to offer cost-competitive electricity in remote areas.

“We welcome these innovative energy startups,” remarked Dale Winger, Managing Director of Halliburton Labs. “We are eager to help these participant companies use their time and capital efficiently to progress new solutions that meet industry requirements for cost, reliability, and sustainability.”

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Dec, 2024

Adverse weather conditions have disrupted TotalEnergies EP Danmark’s operations, delaying production from the remaining fields at its natural gas redevelopment project in the Danish sector of the North Sea.

As a result, the company has updated its timeline for achieving full production capacity at the Tyra gas field, Denmark’s largest natural gas field.

The Tyra redevelopment project has been underway since March 2024, with the first gas export from Tyra II marking the successful initial production following a major revamp. However, challenges have emerged in the process of reactivating and optimising offshore wells, particularly in relation to the reactivation of the Tyra satellite wells. These wells are critical to achieving the anticipated production plateau, and the necessary well interventions have been delayed by adverse offshore weather.

A key operational challenge arose from issues related to two transformers supplying power to essential gas compressors, which have impeded the full commissioning of the project. Despite these setbacks, TotalEnergies has made significant progress in repairing and commissioning equipment, although the anticipated timeline for full technical capacity was initially set for mid-November 2024. Uncertainties about remaining operational conditions have led to delays.

The ramp-up phase, which is closely tied to well intervention activities, has allowed for gas production to be restored from three of the six fields. However, due to weather conditions and other operational issues, the reactivation of the Tyra satellite wells has faced further delays. Offshore weather constraints, including limited weather windows, have hindered the progress of well interventions and postponed the critical reactivation of these satellite wells.

Given the current weather forecasts, the timeline for reactivating all satellite wells to achieve plateau production has been extended by approximately three weeks. The revised timeline now places the expected achievement of plateau production in the second half of January 2025.

The Tyra field is part of the Danish Underground Consortium, with TotalEnergies EP Danmark (43.2%), BlueNord (36.8%), and Nordsøfonden (20%) as the key stakeholders.

Euan Shirlaw, CEO of BlueNord, commented, “Although it is disappointing that plateau production is now expected in the new year, we are confident that the recent above-ground challenges are well understood. Once the remaining satellite wells have been reactivated, the performance of the field will no longer be constrained by weather, as has been the case during the startup phase. We look forward to reaching plateau production in January 2025 and sharing the promising results of our HEMJ program.”

TotalEnergies points out that oil and gas supply nearly 50% of Denmark’s energy needs, and once the Tyra field reaches plateau production, it is expected to contribute around 6% of the European Union's natural gas output, marking Denmark’s return as a net gas exporter.

Additionally, in June 2024, drilling operations in the Harald East area, conducted with the Shelf Drilling Winner jack-up rig, led to the discovery of additional gas condensate resources in the Harald field, which is located in shallow waters 250 km off Denmark's west coast. These new reserves could further boost production from the region, with ongoing well intervention efforts to optimise the production from the field.

• Region: North Sea
• Topics: Well Intervention
• Date: Dec, 2024

In a move expected to create the UK North Sea’s biggest independent producer, Equinor UK and Shell UK have agreed to combine their UK offshore oil and gas assets and expertise into one company.

With a 50/50 split stake between Equinor and Shell, the new joint venture will reportedly be more agile, focused, cost-competitive and strategically well positioned to maximise the value of the combined portfolio. According to Shell, the decision was made in light of the maturing nature of the basin, with production rates naturally declining. As a result, the new company will target the continued economic recovery of the resource and will invest to provide long-term sustainable future for individual oil and gas fields and platforms.

“Domestically produced oil and gas is expected to have a significant role to play in the future of the UK’s energy system,” remarked Shell plc’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Zoë Yujnovich. “To achieve this in an already mature basin, we are combining forces with Equinor, a partner of many years. The new venture will help play a critical role in a balanced energy transition providing the heat for millions of UK homes, the power for industry and the secure supply of fuels people rely on.”

Equinor’s Executive Vice President for Exploration and Production International, Philippe Mathieu, added, “Equinor has been a reliable energy partner to the UK for over 40 years, providing oil and gas, developing the offshore wind industry, and advancing decarbonisation. This transaction strengthens Equinor’s near-term cash flow, and by combining Equinor’s and Shell’s long-standing expertise and competitive assets, this new entity will play a crucial role in securing the UK’s energy supply.”

In the UK, Shell currently produces around 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day with Equinor contributing an additional 38,000. With the new joint venture already expressing its desire to maintain rates, this could be a potentially game-changing development for the various well intervention service and equipment suppliers to the region.