History – Gullfaks

The Gullfaks Field

Block 34/10 was declared commercially viable in 1978. The field — which eventually became known as Gullfaks — was the first entirely Norwegian oil field. Since then, the Gullfaks field has been a pioneer on several occasions. Here, we have gathered some of the field’s milestones.

Development of the Gullfaks field approved

10/06/1981

The event was a milestone for Statoil. The Gullfaks field was the first field where Statoil was the operator from the very beginning.

Construction period

02/02/1983

The foundation stone is laid for Gullfaks A, marking the beginning of an extended construction period. Over the course of just under ten years, Gullfaks A, Gullfaks B, and Gullfaks C were built.

The Gullfaks field completed

08/05/1989

The placement of Gullfaks C on the field marks the end of the construction period.

Alternatively: The start of production at Gullfaks C marks the end of the construction period.

An image of the discharge can be included either way.

More gas

05/07/1997

As production at the Gullfaks field gradually declined, there was capacity to receive oil and gas from other fields — both from subsea constructions and from platforms.

Accidents and near-misses

01/01/2000

Low oil prices lead oil companies to cut costs. In some cases, this results in reduced safety measures. Incidents related to safety and cost-cutting have occurred both before and after the year 2000.

DRAFT!

Everyday work

14/09/2005

Life consists mostly of workdays. The same is true on the Gullfaks field.

The date is fairly randomly chosen.

Hywind Tampen

23/08/2023

Electricity production from offshore wind for the platforms helps reduce the use of gas turbines.

Discovering Gullfaks: Hiccups and Blowouts

Great expectations had been aroused by the “golden block” on Norway’s continental shelf (NCS), and a Norwegian-only partnership was very pleased to be allocated this 34/10 acreage in 1978. But proving Gullfaks was not without its problems. Exploration on the block began in June that year, but it took 10 exploration wells – together with a dramatic “kick” and a blowout – before operator Statoil could declare the discovery commercial.

Early Development Plans for Gullfaks

The feasibility study for Block 34/10, submitted to the authorities on November 20, 1980, outlined several potential development solutions for the field. None of these were identical to how the field was ultimately developed.

Parliament greenlights Gullfaks, Statpipe, and Kårstø

The approval for the Gullfaks development was granted by Parliament on June 10, 1981. While the main focus of the proposal was on bringing gas from Statfjord to shore, Gullfaks was included somewhat unexpectedly, as noted during the parliamentary debate.

The name became Gullfaks

On 2 May 1982 it was finally decided that the field, previously known as both Block 34/10 and the “Gold Block,” would be called Gullfaks.

Cornerstone laying for Gullfaks A

On 2 February 1983, construction began on the first of the three platforms that would eventually define the Gullfaks field.

The A-deck for Aker Group

The deck for Gullfaks A was a major and important contract, securing jobs for many people. Construction of the deck began in August 1983.

Quality Assurance Award to Gullfaks A

In 1984, the Gullfaks A project was awarded the Quality Assurance Prize by the Norwegian Association for Quality (NFK) – a recognition Statoil could be proud of, even though the credit for the achievement had to be shared with many partners.

Gullpipe plan abandoned

Despite Statoil Reaching an Agreement with Hydro on the Gullpipe Plans, Parliament Ultimately Said No. As a result, the proposed gathering pipeline for crude oil from Gullfaks and Oseberg to Mongstad never came to fruition.

Construction of the A shafts in Gandsfjorden

On 4 June 1984, work began on constructing the shafts for Gullfaks A. Over the following year, the shafts were completed, including being equipped with mechanical installations.

Construction begins in dry dock

Construction of the Gullfaks B substructure began on 22 October 1984, earlier than initially expected. The work in the dry dock progressed as planned, despite neighbour disputes over noise.

Statoil Moves into Sandsli

In the autumn of 1984, two and a half years before production was scheduled to begin on Gullfaks A, Statoil’s new office facilities were ready for occupation. The administrative center for Statoil Bergen was established at Sandsli, 17 kilometers outside the city center.

From Statoil to the State

When the State’s Direct Financial Interest (SDFI) was introduced, Statoil’s ownership share in the Gullfaks field dropped from 85 to 12 percent. In the short term, this meant increased cash flow for Statoil.

Modules for Gullfaks A

After the deck frame for Gullfaks A was launched on February 22, 1985, the next phase was module lifting. The various modules for Gullfaks A were built in multiple locations, mostly in Norway, before being transported to Stord for installation.

Saved by the B deck?

On April 15, 1985, Moss Rosenberg Shipyard signed a contract to build the Gullfaks B deck. With the new order, the yard gained some breathing room to carry out reorganizations aimed at increasing its competitiveness for the future. This was not without controversy.

Gullfaks C approved by the Storting

On 7 June 1985, the Storting approved Gullfaks Phase II, the construction of Gullfaks C.

From Gandsfjorden to Digernessundet

On 16 August 1985, the substructure of Gullfaks A was on the move. Something resembling four grey columns was slowly towed by nine tugboats toward its next destination.

Training Center at Sandsli

In September 1985, one year after the new office building at Sandsli was inaugurated, the training center was opened. During its first four years, the center was fully dedicated to training personnel assigned to the Gullfaks platforms.

Gullfaks B slipform halted

Norwegian Contractors’ work on the slipforming for Gullfaks B in the autumn of 1985 was not without problems. First, the launch took longer than expected, and then a strike broke out. It was not until 21 October 1985 that the parties reached an agreement.

Disaster in Gandsfjorden: The Concem Incident

On the evening of November 4, 1985, the barge Concem capsized in Gandsfjorden with 22 people on board. Twelve were rescued, while ten lost their lives. Two of the victims were never found.

The A deck and substructure meet

In August 1985, the Gullfaks A substructure was towed from Gandsfjorden to Digernessundet. Six months later, in January 1986, it was connected to the deck.

Building the Base Section

When Norway’s largest industrial contract went to a Condeep project, it meant
only one thing: this would be big and heavy. The groundwork was laid at
Hinnavågen.

A christening among those closest

On 18 April 1986, the champagne bottle shattered against Gullfaks A. It marked the beginning of a long harvest.

Next stop: the Gullfaks field

On 5 May 1986, the Gullfaks A platform set out on its journey to the Gullfaks field, where it would produce oil and gas for the next 30 years?

Aker Stord won the battle for the C deck

On September 11, 1986, it was decided: the deck for the world’s heaviest platform would be built by Aker Stord. Moss Rosenberg Verft had to concede defeat.

The Swedish king inspects Gullfaks

On September 25, 1986, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visited Stavanger for the first time. During his ten-hour stay in the city, he had the opportunity to take a closer look at both the Gullfaks C substructure and the deck of Gullfaks B.

Building the C Topside

The start of construction in the plate workshop at Aker Stord in October 1986 marked the beginning of bustling activity at the yard in Leirvik. Much was similar to the A-deck that had been built at the same location a few years earlier, but there were also important differences.

Start of production on Gullfaks A

On 22 December 1986, just before Christmas, Gullfaks A came on stream - six months ahead of schedule.

The first oil shipment

Thursday, 29 January 1987, the first crude oil was loaded onto "MT Sarita".

From Gandsfjorden to Yrkjefjorden

On April 5, 1987, the substructure of Gullfaks B was set in motion. To meet the steel deck, it had to be moved into deep water.

The B Deck and Substructure Meet

On April 29, 1987, the substructure and the deck were joined. Gullfaks B was well on its way to becoming complete.

The C Tow from Gandsfjorden to Vats

If there is a common thread between towing base sections and some lessons from life itself, it is this: Detours take you the farthest.

Official opening of Gullfaks A

On June 19, 1987, the flag was raised on Gullfaks A. The platform had officially started production!

Christening of the little one

Monday the 29th of June 1987, Gullfaks B was christened—the middle and smallest of the three platforms on the Gullfaks field.

Gullfaks C: Slipforming and Mechanical Outfitting

If you ever want to study large‑scale offshore vertical slipforming, there is hardly a better or bigger example than what unfolded at Vats from the summer of 1987 to the spring of 1988.

From Yrkjefjorden to the field

On July 31, 1987, it was time for Gullfaks B to cut its anchor ties to the shore and head out to sea.

Production start at Gullfaks B

29 February 1988 - nine months ahead of the original plan, Gullfaks B came on stream.

The Tow from Vats to Stord

On the evening of 30 December 1988, the jacket of Gullfaks C set out on a journey – in search of the deck. Many held their breath. How would it go, moving something so enormous in the middle of winter?

The C deck and substructure meet

On 27 February 1989, the deck and the supporting structure of Gullfaks C were brought together.

A heavyweight at the christening

Gullfaks C is the world’s heaviest platform and thus the heaviest “baby” ever christened - at least as far as we know.

The Tow from Stord to the Field

Early in the morning of 2 May 1989, Gullfaks C was released from the last moorings. Eleven tugs applied their power with precision. At first there was barely any movement – then there was no doubt: the giant had started to move.

Offshore Commissioning

The last step before Gullfaks C could begin earning back the billions invested was commissioning at the field. The work started in May 1989 and employed 800 people.

Production start at Gullfaks C

When did production start on Gullfaks C? That depends on what you mean by start of production.

Royal guests on Gullfaks C

White shirt, tie, and a navy-blue knitted cardigan with a collar - that was the outfit the management team on Gullfaks C was instructed to wear when royalty came to visit. But had they done any other preparations?

Gullfaks «takes a chance»

On June 29, 1991, Gullfaks B employees launched a replica of the platform in Besserudtjernet at the bottom of the Holmenkollen ski jump. The event was Gullfaks' contribution to the popular TV show «Take the Chance».

Start of Production for Snorre

Production on Snorre A began on 3 August 1992. Oil from Snorre is sent to Gullfaks A, while the gas is reinjected into the reservoir.

The Olympic flame visited Gullfaks

The 1994 winter Olympics at Lillehammer north of Oslo was acclaimed as a sporting and organisational success. As one of nine main sponsors, Statoil supplied the fuel for the Olympic flame – which is why the torch relay around Norway also called at Gullfaks, the most Norwegian field of them all.

Record-breaking production

On October 7, 1994, a production record was set at the Gullfaks field – in a year with several other records.

The Flare Extinguished

On 16 November 1994, the flare on Gullfaks A was extinguished. Just under a month later, the same happened on Gullfaks B.

Start of Production for Vigdis

Production from Vigdis began on 28 January 1997. The oil is processed on Snorre A before being sent to Gullfaks A, where it is stored pending transport. The gas is reinjected into the Snorre field.

Start of Production for Visund

Production on Visund A began on 21 April 1999. The oil and gas are processed on the platform, after which the oil is sent to Gullfaks A and the gas to Kvitebjørn.

Gullfaks from Saga to Statoil

Until 27 May 1999, Saga Petroleum owned 6 percent of the Gullfaks licence. On that day, the company was dissolved. About 25 percent of the company – including the Gullfaks share – was acquired by Statoil.

Gullfaks as a gas export centre

ullfaks serves as a key hub in the Tampen area, playing a central role in receiving and transporting gas from neighboring fields and satellite installations.

Gullfaks from the SDFI to Statoil and Petoro

On 26 April 2001, the Norwegian Parliament approved the partial privatization of Statoil. This led to changes in the Gullfaks licence.

The NPD’s Improved Oil Recovery Award

In January 2005, the Gullfaks licence was awarded the Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) Prize. The prize is one of the clearest expressions of the Norwegian authorities’ appreciation of efforts to extend field life on a mature Norwegian continental shelf. The Gullfaks licence received the prize for 2004. What was the background for the prize in general, and for this award in particular?

“Oil Kingdom” — The TV Series About Life on Gullfaks C

What does a driller, crane operator, process engineer, and offshore installation manager actually do on a platform? And what do the geologist and the trader do onshore? The series "Oil Kingdom" (2006) helped make everyday offshore life in general—and Gullfaks C in particular—better known to most Norwegians.

Gullfaks from Hydro to Statoil

On 1 October 2007, Hydro’s oil and gas division was taken over by Statoil. The number of Gullfaks partners was reduced from three to two.

When a Russian Naval Drill Isolated Gullfaks

On December 11, 2007, offshore workers on Gullfaks (and other nearby platforms) could see extensive military activity at sea and in the air. At the center of it all was the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the Russian Navy’s flagship. Could Norwegian helicopters find themselves on a collision course with Russian fighter jets?

Ten Kilometers Later: The Story of Gulltopp

On 8 April 2008, production from Gulltopp finally started. The well has been described as the most complicated in Statoil’s history. The drilling crew spent 991 days reaching the target. The well is nearly ten kilometres long and runs almost entirely horizontally.

Uncontrolled Gas on Gullfaks C

On 19 May 2010, the alarm went off on Gullfaks C. Gas was flowing uncontrollably on the drilling deck. “All hands to the lifeboats!”

Gas Leak on Gullfaks B

On 4 December 2010, there was a gas leak on Gullfaks B. The incident is one of several reasons why 2010 is characterized as a challenging year for Statoil and the Gullfaks field.

OMV acquires stake in Gullfaks

On October 31, 2013, the Gullfaks license gained a new stakeholder: the Austrian oil company OMV acquired a 19% share.

Replacing the Loading Buoys

On 2 June 2014, after 30 years in service, the old loading buoys were replaced by a new system.

The Subsea Factory: A Milestone in Offshore Innovation

In the summer of 2015, the world’s first subsea wet gas compression station was installed on the seabed near Gullfaks C. This marked another step toward realizing the ambitious “subsea factory” project.

Tragedy at Turøy

On 29 April 2016, a helicopter carrying 13 people crashed just east of the island of Turøy, northwest of Bergen. The aircraft was en route from the Gullfaks B platform to Bergen Airport, Flesland. It was one of the worst accidents in Norwegian oil history.

Should the Condeep Giants Join UNESCO’s World Heritage List?

The Gullfaks field’s three concrete platforms—especially the record‑heavy C installation—sit at the heart of a recurring question: should the Condeep gravity‑based substructures (GBSs) be given a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List?

Building Hywind Tampen

On 5 June 2022, the first of the 11 Hywind Tampen turbines was towed out to the field. The turbines rise 190 metres above the sea and are anchored to the seabed—at depths of up to 300 metres—using 19 suction anchors. The turbines were assembled in Gulen Industrial Harbour in Sløvåg in Sogn og Fjordane.

The Age of Drones

Drones are used in a wide range of applications, from hobbyists taking vacation photos or videos, to infrastructure inspection in industry or modern warfare. Drones can also be used to transport items offshore.

A Drone Drama with Energy‑Security Stakes

Autumn 2022 was marked by a sharpened focus on the vulnerability of Norway’s energy‑strategic position in Europe.

On 13 June 2023, a milestone was reached. Well number 500 had been drilled in the Gullfaks area.

OMV won lawsuit against Equinor

In the period between 2010 and 2020, parts of the oil from the Gimle field were recorded as Gullfaks oil. OMV took the matter to court to clarify what consequences the calculation error should have. The judgment was delivered on 29 June 2023. OMV won against Equinor.

Norway’s offshore wind dream

The 11 turbines at Hywind Tampen were a welcome political milestone, and the opening ceremony at August 23. 2023 marked a major step toward Norway’s ambitions to become an offshore wind nation. Significant political prestige has been invested in the country’s offshore wind development.