Equinor ASA has awarded DNV GL the certifying authority and classification contract to ensure that new infrastructure for its Bay du Nord oil field project complies with local and global safety requirements, DNV reported Monday.

Discovered in 2013 and located approximately 298 miles (480 kilometers) northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Bay du Nord will be the first field to be developed in the Flemish Pass Basin, DNV noted in a written statement emailed to Rigzone. Infrastructure in the North Atlantic basin will need to endure harsh environmental conditions including large sea states, high winds, sea ice and icebergs, the firm added.

“Safety, environmental protection and regulatory compliance are fundamental requirements for the Bay du Nord Project,” noted Halfdan Knudson, project director with Equinor, operator of Bay du Nord with a 65-percent working interest. “DNV GL has been selected as the certifying authority and classification society for the project, supported by our development partner Husky Energy. DNV GL possesses the deep knowledge, experience and technical standards that will help us deliver the Bay du Nord project safely and on-time.”

According to DNV, the Bay du Nord field development – currently in the pre-FEED phase – would comprise a floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, a disconnectable turret and moorings system, steel lazy wave risers and a subsea development with four subsea templates. The project partners are expected to reach the final investment decision phase in the second quarte of 2021, and they aim to produce first oil in 2025, DNV added.

“I am delighted Equinor has recognized that we possess the technical expertise and global footprint to assure safety on the ambitious Bay du Nord project,” stated Liv A. Hovem, CEO of DNV GL – Oil and Gas. “We have worked closely with Equinor on many projects over the years, including challenging sites in the North Sea, and this contract win is a sign of the strength of our relationship.”

DNV and Equinor will manage the Bay du Nord project from St. John’s.

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