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Initially, the Norne field, which has been producing oil since 1997, was due to close in 2022. But in December 2018, Equinor received approval from the authorities to extend its useful life to 2036.
To be approved for such an extension, oil companies must submit comprehensive analyzes of how the facilities will be able to withstand the load of several new years in rough seas.
Now it turns out that Equinor used seriously buggy software when they calculated the Norwegian ship’s hull load for the 14 new years.
It appears in the minutes of a meeting Equinor and the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority had on August 11, to which NTB has been given access.
The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority reported
The software bug was discovered in April this year in connection with the construction of the production ship for the Johan Castberg field at a Singapore shipyard.
In addition to the software bug, Equinor has uncovered significant weld quality issues at the Castberg project, and the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has launched an investigation into the case.
The audit confirms that they are also aware that software issues can affect the Norne field.
– We have received information from Equinor about this error in the fatigue calculation program and the consequences it has for Norne, says press contact Øyvind Midttun at the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority to NTB.
Equinor has informed the PSA that errors may lead to them having to change inspection plans at Norne.
– Our assessment is that these errors, and the consequences they have, do not undermine Norne’s overall safety, but that they may lead to an improved and modified inspection program and subsequent repairs when necessary, says Midttun.
– No consequences for the operation
Spokesperson Fredrik Jebsen Bråten at Equinor says they are now working on doing new tests for Norne with updated software and some verifications remain.
– The software bug has no consequences for Norne’s daily operation and production, he tells NTB.
He emphasizes that the company so far has no indication that the error could have consequences for the extension of life granted to Norne.
– The error has a limited impact on the overall analysis, says Bråten.
Equinor states that any changes to inspection schedules will be introduced during the fall.
– Collaborate
DNV GL has developed the software in which errors have been discovered. The company emphasizes that the failure has no immediate consequences for the safety of the construction.
– DNV GL continuously collaborates with customers who are affected by the possible consequences, writes the head of marketing and communication Stig Grøndahl in an email to NTB.
It claims that customers using the software were immediately contacted when they realized the bug.
Worried
The Bellona environmental foundation has reported on several occasions the problems that have arisen for Johan Castberg, both in relation to the software bug and the welding problems. Bellona leader Frederic Hauge is concerned that the software bug also has an impact on the Norne field.
– It is concerning and natural that the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority will launch a separate investigation into what has happened there. It’s a bare minimum, he tells NTB.
Hauge says the environmental foundation has information that Norne is already struggling with bad weather.
– This leads to increased operating costs and a worse financial situation at the Norne project. The investigation should reveal how many problems have arisen at Norne as a result of this, also in terms of operations, and not just in materials technology.
Equinor responds that the software that has been found to be defective is used for fatigue calculations and that fatigue cracks are primarily a potential cost associated with running inspection and maintenance.(Terms)Copyright Dagens Næringsliv AS and / or our suppliers. We would like you to share our cases via a link, which leads directly to our pages. Copying or other use of all or part of the content may only be done with written permission or as permitted by law. For more terms, see here.
