FourPhase, a solids and production performance specialist for the oil and gas sector, has successfully performed another industry-first, this time performing a remote solids management operation in the North Sea. Delivered for Aker BP, the two-month programme marks a significant step forward in offshore operational efficiency and safety. FourPhase is the very first solids management specialist to perform remote operations offshore.
The project involved a coiled tubing (CT) cleanout of two wells with chalk bridges, with all returns managed topside by FourPhase. This included the provision of pipe, choke, Multiphase Flow Meter (MPFM), Surface Safety Valve (SSV), and the company’s DualFlow desander system, covering every aspect of returns handling and four-phase monitoring. This intervention was initiated to maintain and increase production from the reservoir.
By leveraging the newly opened Gnist centre – custom-built to support the future of digital and remote operations – Aker BP and FourPhase have demonstrated how modern infrastructure enables safer and more efficient interventions. This reduced offshore exposure while simultaneously improving operational efficiency and safety performance.
With the nature of a pilot project being an industry first, the operation has been run with a standard POB: four offshore operators, two per shift, providing resilience while testing remote and autonomous functions in real time. Following successful operations, the offshore presence can be reduced to one person per shift, enabling more simultaneous operations with the same team size both on and offshore. FourPhase longer-term ambition is to achieve fully remote operations where only maintenance requires personnel.
Øyvind Heradstveit, CEO of FourPhase, commented: 'This project is proving that the future of offshore solids management can be both safer and more efficient. The early results have shown us what is possible when you combine our proven technology with robust infrastructure. This project is already setting a new benchmark for how the industry approaches solids management in offshore environments.'
Aker BP has emphasised the importance of continuous improvement and collaboration in developing new operational approaches. Ragnhild Abercrombie, VP D&W – Operations Intervention Alliance, Aker BP highlighted the successful execution of the project and the value of maintaining forward momentum:
'This project has delivered tangible results in a safe and efficient manner, and has demonstrated that it is possible to implement remote operations without compromising HSE and operational performance. These results are delivered by thorough planning, inclusion of workforce, and close integration between onshore and offshore teams across companies. By leveraging the newly opened Integrated Operations Center (IOC) – purpose-built to support the future of remote and digital operations – we’ve demonstrated a new way of working. We see this as an important step forward in how interventions will be delivered in the North Sea. And once we have started moving forward, we do not take a step back.'
The benefits for operators adopting remotely operated solids management include reduced POB, lower logistics costs and a smaller environmental footprint, without compromising safety. For personnel, the improvements include fewer offshore deployments and reduced exposure to hazardous environments.
FourPhase has been developing the building blocks for remote operations since 2018, investing heavily in robust equipment and forward-thinking design to meet evolving industry demands. The project with Aker BP is a natural progression of that strategy.
Source: FourPhase
