Field Development

Hanz and mettle: How a not-so-routine tieback points to a possible way forward for marginal fields

Aker BP's Hanz project makes use of some innovative tools — including cross-flow water injection — to cut costs and emissions

The Seven Oceans vessel and Ivar Aasen platform during hookup of the Hanz field.
The Seven Oceans vessel and Ivar Aasen platform during hookup of the Hanz field.Photo: AKER BP
Features and Technology Editor, UpstreamLondon

But Hanz, which came on stream in April, has a few distinguishing features that could make it one of the region’s more closely watched new fields, and perhaps a model for the development of similar finds in Norway and elsewhere.

A 1997 discovery, the development plan for Hanz has changed considerably since Aker BP and its Ivar Aasen partner Equinor — now joined by Sval Energi — submitted an initial scheme for developing the area about 200 kilometres from Stavanger.