1. To take advantage of the additional oil and gas reserves in the Valhall field, BP Norway have
invested in a new Production and Hotel (PH) platform. Atkins provided technical support to
address the Working Environment aspects of the PH during the Detailed Design Phase and
continues to provide support during the current Construction Phase.
Valhall Redevelopment (VRD)
Mustang Engineering, Houston, USA
Designed with a 40-year lifespan, the new Production
and Hotel (PH) platform will replace the existing
field Quarters Platform and the Production and
Compression Platform. The Valhall PH is one of BP’s
flagship ‘Field of the Future’ platforms, employing
minimal manning, low maintenance components and
a high degree of automation. The PH is based on a
Gulf of Mexico design philosophy, and will be installed
offshore as a single lift.
As with all Norwegian projects, there is a high focus
on user involvement and good design of the Working
Environment. Atkins staff provided expertise in this
area during the Detailed Design and Construction
phases of the project, in an integrated design and
assurance role.
Atkins’ client Mustang Engineering (part of the
Wood Group) is responsible for the platform topsides
(process area). Atkins staff carried out Working
Environment activities in accordance with NORSOK
standards to ensure compliance with the rigorous
Working Environment standards set by the customer,
BP Norway.
2. A Working Environment programme was developed
in accordance with NORSOK standard S-002, that
covered all required activities. These included:
• Chemical health risk assessment
• Control of noise and vibration
• Crisis intervention and operability analysis (this was
applied to the crane cabin)
• Operability and maintenance review
• Outdoor operations analysis
• Valves and instrument access and operability
review
• Working Environment design reviews and Job
Hazard Analysis
The primary focus of Atkins’ effort on Working
Environment was to review the entire topsides design,
ensuring operator involvement in the design of the
major in-house and vendor-designed equipment.
Given the scale of this task and level of detail
required, a pragmatic approach was developed. This
was based on the NORSOK coarse Job Hazard Analysis
method and involved conducting assessments on the
basis of task analyses. This ensured that assessments
were systematic, logical and focused on tasks that
were frequent, difficult or hazardous. Findings
of these meetings led to several hundred design
amendments that were remedied during the design
phase, saving money and avoiding costly deviations
from requirements.
A programme of inspections is now underway to
ensure that the agreed design is built, and a robust
audit trail is being constructed to facilitate auditing.
Plan Design Enable