Munin

Munin Oil Project Profile

Location and Geology

The Munin field is situated in the Yggdrasil area of the central North Sea, approximately 35 kilometres south of the Oseberg field. The water depth in this area is 110 metres. The reservoirs are primarily composed of Middle Jurassic sandstone of the Brent Group, located at depths of 3200-3650 metres. The Munin area is geologically complex, with deposits exhibiting varying reservoir and fluid properties.

Discovery and Development History

The first discovery in the Munin area was made in 1997 with the well 30/11-5. Since then, several additional discoveries have been made, with the discovery wellbore for Munin being 30/11-8 S, drilled in 2011. The plan for development and operation (PDO) was approved in June 2023.

Development Concept

The Munin field will be developed using a subsea tie-back concept to an unmanned processing platform (UPP) located in the northern part of the Yggdrasil area. This platform, also known as the Munin platform, will be tied back to the Hugin A processing platform in the southern Yggdrasil area. The platform is designed for ordinary operation without a crew, lacking a helicopter deck, living quarters, and lifeboats. Access and maintenance will be facilitated through support vessels.

Platform Details

• Construction and Contract: Aibel has been awarded a contract worth approximately NOK 7 billion (US$707 million) for the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the Munin platform. Construction is taking place at Aibel's yards in Haugesund, Norway, and Thailand.
• Design and Features: The Munin topsides measure 62 metres long, 42 metres wide, and 35 metres in height, weighing over 8,000 tonnes. The platform is designed with safety, minimal maintenance requirements, and streamlined operations in mind, utilizing high-reliability equipment, automation, and digitalization.

Production and Recovery Strategy

• Production: The deposits will be produced using different recovery strategies. The largest oil deposits will be produced with water injection, while gas deposits and smaller oil deposits will be produced by pressure depletion. Oil producers will be equipped with gas lift.
• Export: Gas will be exported through a new pipeline from Hugin A via Statpipe to the Kårstø terminal. Oil will be transported to the Hugin A facility for further processing and then exported to the Sture onshore terminal.

Project Timeline and Status

• Construction Start: Construction on the Munin platform began in November 2023, marked by a steel-cutting ceremony in Thailand.
• Scheduled Completion: The project is scheduled for completion in 2027, with production expected to start the same year. The development of Munin is coordinated with the development of the Hugin and Fulla fields in the Yggdrasil area.

Economic and Employment Impact

• Investment: The development of the Yggdrasil area, including Munin, involves an estimated investment of more than NOK 115 billion (approximately US$11.7 billion).
• Employment: The project will provide employment for nearly 2,000 workers distributed between Asker, Haugesund, and Thailand. It is expected to create significant value and secure jobs in the shipyard and supplier sectors.

Partners and Contractors

• Operator: Aker BP is the operator for the construction and operation of the Munin platform.
• Contractors: Key contractors include Aibel for the construction of the Munin platform, and Aker Solutions for various subsea and fixed facility contracts as part of the Subsea Alliance and Fixed Facilities Alliance.

Technological and Operational Innovations

• Unmanned Operations: Munin will be the first unmanned process platform on the Norwegian continental shelf, designed for remote operation from shore and maintenance using service operations vessels.
• Advanced Features: The Yggdrasil project, including Munin, incorporates advanced features such as remote-controlled operations, new technology, and data-driven decisions.