The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) and Eni Norge have entered into a mutual assistance agreement for support vessels on the Goliat field, in the Barents Sea.

According to Eni’s press release, the agreement is the first of its type in Norway.

“This is an effective way to make use of shared oil spill protection resources,” says Johan Marius Ly, Director of the Department for Emergency Response at the Norwegian Coastal Administration.

Mutual assistance

Eni said that the agreement entails the provision of mutual assistance by vessels in connection with the NCA’s emergency towing arrangements and Eni Norge’s activities at the Goliat field.

“The contingency measures at the Goliat field are especially adapted to the area in which we operate. It represents a strengthening of the capacity both within oil spill protection, towing and search and rescue operations off the coast West Finnmark,” says Andreas Wulff, Eni Norge’s External Communication Manager.

Better oil spill protection

The company explained that the agreement with the NCA will provide better oil spill protection in a sensitive Arctic region, as well as making available to both parties access to optimal towing capability.

“Our goal is mutual utilisation of vessel capacity permanently stationed in the area in the event of unforeseen incidents and suspensions in operations. The agreement shall ensure a consolidation of operations for which the NCA and Eni Norge have primary responsibility, and is not a substitute for the vessels necessary to maintain operations and emergency response capacity,” says Ly.

It was reported last Thursday that Eni had expected production from its Goliat field, Norway’s first Arctic oil development, to start in a few weeks after years of delay and cost overruns.

Source: www.offshoreenergytoday.com

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