Aker BP became the first company on the Norwegian Continental Shelf to operate a staffed platform from an onshore control room. Ivar Aasen in the North Sea is now operated from Aker BP’s offices at Trondheim torg.

The control room is key to all activity on the platform. In addition to monitoring facilities, production, equipment and following up everything that takes place on the field, the control room plays an important role in activating work permits, and for the arrival of vessels and helicopters within the 500-metre zone.

Ivar Aasen was constructed with two identical control rooms – on the platform and in Trondheim. The plan has always been to move the control room to land. Other offshore staffing on the field will remain as before.

Much learning

There is a lot to be learned from this new method of managing the activity, both for Aker BP and for the industry. Aker BP sees a considerable potential for increased revenues because the subsurface experts are closer to the control room, which can give better mutual understanding and common goals.

Cost cuts can also be achieved over time through the development of new digital solutions that change the way we work.

About Aker BP

Aker BP is a fully-fledged E&P company with exploration, development and production activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Aker BP is the operator of Alvheim, Ivar Aasen, Skarv, Valhall, Hod, Ula and Tambar. The company is also a partner in the Johan Sverdrup field. Aker BP is headquartered at Fornebu, Norway, and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘AKERBP’.