Aker, Subsea7, Det norske Form Alliance

Contractors Aker Solutions, Subsea 7 and Norwegian producer Det norske oljeselskap said September 13 they have formed an alliance.

The alliance combines Det norske’s upstream know-how with Subsea 7’s subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) capabilities and Aker Solutions’ expertise in front-end engineering, brownfield modifications and subsea systems. It will them to “work as one integrated team to find the most cost-effective solutions for developing Det norske’s entire Norwegian subsea field portfolio.” 

The alliance accord comes after Det norske in June announced four-year framework agreements covering Norway with Subsea 7, worth some kroner 2bn ($242mn), and with Aker Solutions worth kroner 800mn ($97mn).

Det norske CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik (Photo credit: Det norske)

The companies will form an integrated project management team with experts from each, with all parties sharing both risks and rewards. Det norske CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik said: “This alliance enables a holistic approach to our subsea developments that will promote an effective reuse of solutions and best practices across the portfolio to significantly save time and reduce costs.”

In June, BP and Det norske agreed to merge their interests on the Norwegian continental shelf. The resulting ‘Aker BP’ is to be owned by Aker ASA (40%), BP (30%) and other Det norske shareholders (30%); closure of the deal is expected in late September.

Mark Smedley