Equinor selects DeepOcean to tackle complex SIMOPRO project

Oslo-based DeepOcean has been awarded a simultaneous marine operation and production (SIMOPRO) installation contract by Equinor on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Under the contract, DeepOcean will work on both the Åsgård and Visund fields, undertaking onshore project management, engineering and procurement services as well as offshore operations.

A SIMOPRO operation refers to a complex offshore job where marine construction or installation activities are carried out while an offshore facility is producing hydrocarbons.

“This type of job requires high-level coordination and safety planning from both the operator and subcontractors to ensure smooth execution,” said DeepOcean Europe managing director, Olaf A. Hansen, noting the firm has delivered such projects in the past for Equinor.

DeepOcean’s scope of work on Åsgard includes riser removal at the Åsgard B platform, installation of a new production riser and dynamic umbilical connecting the Berling subsea production assets to Åsgard B. The Åsgard scope also includes installation of two static infield bypass umbilicals, installation of flying leads and protection covers. The Åsgard field is in the Norwegian Sea, about 200 km off the coast of Norway in water depths ranging from 240 to 300 m.

At Visund, the work scope includes the replacement of a production riser. The Visund field is in the North Sea, approximately 140 km west of Florø, in water depths of about 335 m.

The installation work will be carried out during the 2026 European summer season, using the battery-hybrid construction support vessel (CSV) Edda Freya. Owned by Østensjø Rederi, the 11,549-dwt Edda Freya was designed with a focus on cable laying operations, offshore constructions and inspection, and maintenance and repair (IMR) operations.

Separately, DeepOcean also awarded a one-year contract extension to Oslo-listed Solstad Maritime for the charter of the CSV Normand Ocean. An MT6022 design, Normand Ocean was built and joined DeepOcean’s fleet in 2014, and is operating in the Norwegian Sea.