Breakthrough subsea deal for Aker Solutions

24 November 2010 - Aker Solutions has secured an important contract to supply heating systems for the subsea pipelines that Technip will deliver and install for the Goliat field in the Barents Sea. Contract value is approximately NOK 80 million.

Direct electrical heating (DEH) of pipelines is a technique used to avoid hydrate and wax formation in pipelines used for transport of oil between the manifolds on the seabed to the offshore facility. Heating up the pipeline will prevent it from becoming blocked due to hydrate formation during shut-down periods thereby minimising the use of chemicals and optimising the shut down periods.

"The simplified explanation is that we are attaching cables to the subsea pipelines. The oil from the wells may freeze and create a plug in the pipeline if the production stops. The current from the cables heats the pipelines and the oil content so that it remains viscous until production can start again," says Tove Røskaft, senior vice president for umbilical technology, Aker Solutions.

"We have developed this system based on our market leading subsea umbilical technology, with support from oil companies who want this product. The combination of deeper waters, longer transportation distances and more complex reservoir conditions will drive the need for flow assurance technologies like our DEH-system."

Aker Solutions has previously successfully installed its DEH-system at a development offshore West Africa.

"Technip as the installation contractor already has a long track record in DEH installations.  We look forward to working with Technip on the Goliat project. We will work hard to make it a success, which will open up new and exciting markets for this technology," concludes Røskaft.

The DEH cables will be assembled at Aker Solutions cable and umbilical facility in Moss, Norway. Final deliveries will be made in Q2 2013.

Aker Solutions' contract party is Aker Subsea AS.  

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Media:
Endre Johansen, VP Communications, Aker Solutions. Tel: +47 22 94 58 91, Mob: +47 416 10 605, E-mail: endre.johansen@akersolutions.com

Investor relations:

Lasse Torkildsen, SVP Investor Relations, Aker Solutions. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39, Mob: +47 911 37 194

Suppliers:

For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please visit www.akersolutions.com/suppliers

Career opportunities:

Visit http://www.akersolutions.com/careers

Aker Solutions ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Solutions"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. Aker Solutions' business serves several industries, including oil & gas, refining & chemicals, mining & metals and power generation. The Aker Solutions group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Solutions is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. 

Aker Solutions' parent company is Aker Solutions ASA.  Aker Solutions has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 54 billion and employs approximately 22 000 people in about 30 countries.

Aker Solutions is part of Aker (www.akerasa.com), a group of premier companies with a focus on energy, maritime and marine resource industries. The Aker companies share a common set of values and a long tradition of industrial innovation. As an industrial owner controlling 40.27 percent of the shares in Aker Solutions through Aker Holding AS, Aker ASA takes an active role in the development of Aker Solutions.  

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see www.akersolutions.com.

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