German Firm to Simplify Dutch Platform

German construction firm Bilfinger has secured a basic and detailed engineering contract for converting a North Sea gas platform into an automated, unmanned facility.

The K15-FA platform is stationed at the K15 gas fields off the Netherlands, and operated by ONEgas, a joint venture between the Netherlands’ NAM and Shell. NAM itself is a partnership between Shell and ExxonMobil.

The pair has hired Bilfinger to complete the conversion by next year. The German firm has undertaken design and safety studies on which platform modifications are needed, including remote well operation and revised emergency depressurisation and firefighting systems. It will also procure necessary hardware and software on ONEgas’ behalf.

“The goal is to centralise gas processing and switch platforms to unmanned operation,” Bilfinger said. “This will considerably increase efficiency and lower operational costs.”