Around 400 000 hours of work will remain in the Kårstø expansion project (KEP) at the New Year. Although some 85 per cent has been completed, important and demanding jobs are still on the menu.

“We’re very pleased to have recorded no serious injuries,” says Gassco project manager Leif Solberg.

“Simultaneous operation and development calls for vigilance, and the project has so far succeeded in maintaining the right focus.

“We’re now testing the propane fiscal metering station, which is due to become operational at the end of January.

Foundation work starts next spring for the iso and normal butane metering station, with installation and completion during the autumn.”

These metering facilities have had to be upgraded because the existing units no longer satisfy official requirements and are accordingly being operated under exemptions.

The Dixo sub-project to connect the Statpipe and Åsgard Transport lines is now in its final stages, which involves installation and welding of pipe. With mechanical work scheduled for completion in late February, this crossover is due to become operational in late April. Three shifts are currently being worked to meet that goal.

At the same time, determined efforts are now being made to complete the support systems during the winter. These include chemical injection, fuel gas, demineralisation and emergency power generation. Installation of a new fire and gas detection system is also under way, and will not be finally completed across the whole plant until 2012.

A good deal of KEP work was carried out during the maintenance turnaround in August, but connection of the instrumentation systems remains to be finished.

During a temporary maintenance shutdown next April, Statpipe’s control system will be switched over for equipment units and the Dixo plant’s emergency shutdown (ESD) system will also be tested.

“The Moss boiler is being upgraded during 2011, with completion due by early 2012,” says Mr Solberg. “So large and important assignments remain.

“We’re within the KEP budget of NOK 7.7 billion, and pretty well on schedule, but this final phase will unquestionably demand a lot from us, service provider Statoil and the contractors.

“However, I’m confident that we’re well positioned to maintain our good health, safety and environmental performance, our completion date of September 2012 and the budget target.”

Tags: Gassco