Jotun’s Journey Complete: A New Future for Jotun with the Balder Future Project

A Vision Realised 

First discovered in 1967, Balder was Norway’s first oil discovery. The Production didn’t start until 1999, after it being PDO approved in 1996. Since then, the field has delivered energy to Norway and beyond.   

Thanks to the vision of Vår Energi and the Balder Future project, and dedication of the project teams, it will now continue producing well into the future.  

A critical component to achieving this ambition is the Jotun FPSO, refurbished at Worley Rosenberg in Stavanger after two decades of service. The upgrade supports 14 new production wells and one water injection well, ensuring safe and efficient operations until 2045 and beyond. Collectively, this is expected to unlock an estimated 150 million barrels of oil equivalent - a significant boost to Norway’s energy future. 

Following the extensive upgrade, the Jotun had to return to the Balder field. Ocean Installer and Baker Hughes executed a comprehensive EPCI Consortium contract, installing: 

-96 km of flexible pipes 

-29 km of umbilicals 

-Five subsea templates 

-Culminating in the tow out and hook up of the Jotun FPSO. 

These components form the backbone of Balder Future’s infrastructure, enabling safe and reliable operations. 

The Tow-Out and Hook-Up 

The 2025 offshore tow and hook-up built on lessons learned during the 2020 tow-in operations. Initially, the plan mirrored the 1999 tow and hook-up method, which required diving inside the turret during mooring operations.  

Being a weather-sensitive and repetitive process for each mooring line, the team mitigated this weather risk by introducing In-Line Tensioners (ILTs) in each mooring line . 

This innovation allowed mooring tensioning by Anchor Handling Tugs (AHTs) offshore, eliminating the need for turret diving. To enable this, an 80-metre section of chain was installed inshore, where diving could be safely executed in sheltered waters. These inshore works were completed at Åmøyfjorden before commencing the tow to its final offshore location.  

Once positioned at the Balder field, the FPSO was initially held by three AHTs and progressively connected to mooring lines. ILT tensioning was performed in stages - first after three lines, then after six. This created a storm-safe status before completing the remaining connections. 

Following mooring completion, hook-up to subsea systems and commissioning began. This complex operation involved connecting Ocean Installer-supplied flexible pipes and dynamic umbilical’s, preinstalled during earlier phases.  

Engineering Feats and Collaboration 

The inclusion of ILTs expanded the operational weather windows, allowing execution in higher sea states. This resulted in   the overall project delivery, enabling first oil within 2025.  

However, towing with 80 meters of chain suspended beneath the FPSO introduced new challenges. Navigating the narrow corridor between preinstalled Mid Water Arches (MWAs), which sit shallower than the chain depth. To address this, the team employed advanced onshore operational simulations, replicating real conditions for tow masters, vessel masters, and engineers. These simulations enabled critical scenario rehearsals, environmental limit testing, and iterative refinements - ensuring flawless offshore execution.  

What’s Next? 

Balder Future is more than a single project - it is the foundation for continued development of the Balder area. Ocean Installer remains a key partner to Vår Energi in delivering future phases, including new wells and subsea facilities. Jotun will serve as an area host for tie-backs and exploration projects, with Balder Phase VI currently in fabrication and engineering, and offshore operations planned for 2026.The long-term vision and strategy for Balder ensures long-term value creation and reinforces Norway’s position as a leader in offshore energy innovation. Ocean Installer, as an entrusted enabler, looks forward to continued contributions to Vår Energi and its partners.