Odin Field Development
Authors: Wallace Leonard E. , Bache Bjorn E. 
Published: October 2008

The Ohio Field, located in block 30/10 of the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, is a small gas field currently under development by Esso Exploration and Production Norway Inc. (EEPN). Development of the field was initially evaluated based upon a fully integrated and self-contained drilling/production/ processing concept, however, reserves were insufficient to justify the investments required. In order to minimize project investment, EEPN has utilized a concept which incorporates several unique features for North Sea development. A key feature of the development approach is use of excess capacity (process and physical space) available in the Frigg Field Complex, 22km away. An agreement was reached with the Frigg partners to provide all facilities associated with compression, dehydration, metering, processing and transportation of Odin gas to Scotland via pipeline.

Analysis of the remaining requirements for Odin facilities indicated drilling requirements were dominating the platform and setting the total space requirements. Use of a semi-submersible Tender Support Vessel (TSV) moored alongside of the platform for drilling services support (mud processing, pumping, bulk storage and additional quarters) provided the final physical platform size reduction necessary to make the field development viable.

Development of the field is in progress. Jacket fabrication began in late 1981 followed by topsides facilities in early 1982. The entire project schedule is built around an October 1984 production start-up date which entails jacket and topside facilities installation in 1983 and installation of the interconnecting pipeline to Frigg Field in 1982.

The Odin project is managed by an Esso-led integrated owner/management/contractor project team formed with personnel from Esso, Aker Contracting A/S, Brown &Root Norge A/S, Boeing Engineering and Construction Inc. and other consultants.

INTRODUCTION

The Odin Field is located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, approximately 22km northeast of the Frigg Field and approximately 250km northwest of Stavanger (see Figure 1). The Odin Field lies entirely within Block 30/10 which was awarded to Esso Exploration and Production Norway Inc. as production license 030 in 1969. The Government has a 17.5% net profit interest in the production license which has been assigned to Statoil.

The Field is being developed as part of an integrated Frigg area development program dependent upon utilization of existing infrastructure to minimize new facilities and application of tender support technology to the hostile environment of the North Sea. An early artist impression of the production platform and associated tender support vessel is shown in Figure 2.

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY AND RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION

The Odin Field was discovered in 1974 by well 30/10-2. A second exploratory well (30/10-3) was drilled to further delineate the field.

The Odin Field is a part of the reservoir system of Eocene age which includes the Frigg and Northeast Frigg fields. There is no direct connection in the gas zone between Odin and Frigg, however, the reservoir sand connects the Odin Field with the Frigg Field in the underlying water zone. Studies have indicated drainage of Odin gas to the Frigg Field will occur through this channel as the Frigg pressure declines.