Applus+ Norway delivers Quality Surveillance and Verification inspections for the Ormen Lange Phase 3 project.

The Ormen Lange gas field in the Norwegian Sea is one of the biggest gas fields in Norway. The giant offshore gas field is operated by Norske Shell. The Ormen Lange Phase 3 project is designed to unlock an additional 30-50 billion cubic meters of natural gas, increasing Ormen Lange's overall gas recovery rate from 75 to 85%. This will be fed into the Norwegian gas export system, ensuring a continued and reliable supply to Europe.

Four subsea compressors will be installed on the seabed at approx. 900 m water depth close to the wellheads, drawing down the wellhead pressure and thus increasing the gas flow from the reservoir into the wells. The 120 km distance from shore to the subsea installations sets a new world record for subsea compression power step-out.

Currently, Applus+ Norway is working closely with Shell's project team, providing inspection resources and inspection coordination, part of our Vendor Surveillance: source and third party inspection | Applus+ services, for the project during the fabrication stage. Maintaining quality oversight is important for such a critical project delivery. Great efficiency is made by having a strategic inspection planning document, indicating which work packages Applus+ Inspectors shall cover and which the different Engineers from Shell should cover, supporting the dedicated coordinator when being notified by the EPCI's.

Shell involved Applus+ at an early stage, enabling the successful set-up of our services, familiarization with the project documentation and inspection strategy, and understanding the project team's objective.

Soon to have completed the first of several years under this contract, over 30 Applus+ Inspectors have been involved. More than 7000 hours of inspection work has been laid down without any HSE incidents, while at the same time minimizing travel by using local inspectors, which is important both for Shell and Applus+.

At the start of the contract, we developed a project induction training course for the Inspectors, giving them an overview of the project in addition to awareness training on HSE, Quality, and Inspection.

Together with the Quality teams from the EPCI's, supplier and sub-suppliers, our Applus+ Inspectors are ensuring that Shell's zero-defect policy is being achieved and maintained throughout the life of the project.

Applus+ looks forward to seeing this project successfully completed and installed.