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.

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.

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