Subsea7 Wins Substantial Aker BP Contract for Fast-Track Lyra Development

Subsea7 and Aker BP have partnered under the Aker BP Subsea Alliance to deploy subsea production and gas lift flowlines for the Lyra field development in the northern North Sea offshore Norway. The project utilizes digital infrastructure and standardized subsea engineering to establish a multi-kilometer tieback to existing offshore production hubs.

Industrial Challenge and Cooperation Model
Fast-track subsea development requires mitigating schedule risks between exploration and first oil. The Lyra field, located 44 kilometers from the Gjøa platform, requires connection through the intermediary NOVA field infrastructure. Meeting an accelerated three-year operational window demands close organizational integration between the operator and contractor to order critical components and align engineering phases before offshore deployment.

Technical Solution and Pipeline Architecture
Subsea7 executes the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of production and gas lift lines. The production system utilizes a pipe-in-pipe configuration. This mechanical design maintains internal fluid temperatures during hydrocarbon transport, counteracting hydrate formation and wax deposition without requiring active chemical dosing.

Subsea7 manages engineering from its office in Stavanger, Norway. Pipe sections are fabricated and stalked at the company spool base at Vigra, Norway, ensuring weld-integrity control before being loaded onto offshore lay vessels.

Phased Implementation and Host Integration
Field installation takes place in sequential campaigns across 2026, 2027, and 2028. To compress execution timelines, long-lead components were procured through early commitments, stabilizing material availability. Offshore pipelay and infrastructure tie-ins will be executed using dedicated installation vessels from the Subsea7 fleet, directly interfacing new flowlines with existing seabed manifolds and the NOVA riser infrastructure.

Expected Operational Impact
By routing production through NOVA back to the Gjøa host facility, the development minimizes the requirement for new topside processing installations. This brownfield integration reduces total capital expenditure, limits offshore fabrication requirements, and targets initial production within three years of discovery.

Erik Femsteinevik, Vice President Norway at Subsea7, stated regarding the operational model:

"Lyra showcases the strength of the Aker BP Subsea Alliance. From securing long-lead items to mobilising engineering, fabrication and offshore resources, this award demonstrates Subsea7’s ability to deliver first production at exceptional speed."

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

www.subsea7.com