Norwegian oil exploration and development company Aker BP has entered an alliance agreement with oil services provider Aker Solutions over modification projects on its Valhall, Ula and Skarv fields in the Norwegian North Sea.

The modification alliance is based on the framework agreement signed by BP Norge and Aker Solutions in 2015, and includes complete modification work for the offshore installations on all the three fields.

In addition, the alliance agreement will see the delivery of work by Aker Solutions’ fabrication workshops in Egersund and Sandnessjøen.

Aker BP Projects senior vice-president Olav Henriksen said: “We have worked closely with Aker Solutions for many years and are proud to establish this alliance, perhaps the first and largest of its kind on the Norwegian shelf.

"The agreement is in line with Aker BP’s strategy of entering into long-term, predictable agreements with partners."

The working organisation for the modification alliance was founded in April this year and is co-located in Stavanger, with approximately 500 people.

Aker BP Modification Projects vice-president Marie Ravnestad said: “We have done a lot of work to describe how to define the scope of work for each installation. It was important to establish an agreement with common incentives to secure that good results reward both parties.”

The Valhall oilfield is located in 70m of water in the southern region of the Norwegian North Sea. It commenced production in 1982 and consists of six platforms and two unmanned flank platforms.

Ula is also located in the southern part with three platforms and three conventional steel facilities intended for production, drilling and accommodation.

The Skarv field is located in the northern area of the North Sea at a 350-450m water depth and was made on-stream in 2012 with an estimated field life of 25 years.