Webinar | Energy Case Studies 3

Webinar Recording

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About the Webinar

Discover how FourPhase and Aker BP achieved an industry-first in remote solids management on the Valhall IP platform in the North Sea.

 

This webinar showcased a real-world case study performed in October, where Aker BP challenged FourPhase to operate solids management systems in the North Sea entirely remotely from shore at Aker BP office in Stavanger. Together, Aker BP and FourPhase shared what it took to make this project a success, the challenges they overcame, and the key lessons learned.

About the Speakers:

Ole Vatne Senior Intervention Engineer at Aker BP

Ole Vatne has 18 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He specialises in planning and managing intervention operations, including Coiled Tubing, Wireline, pumping, and flowback activities. His role focuses on ensuring safe and efficient execution of well interventions.

 Even Solsvik Project Manager at FourPhase

Even Solsvik is driving innovation in solids management operations for oil and gas. Even started offshore in 2015, and has since advanced to project management, combining hands-on rig experience with data-driven solutions. He has delivered multiple successful international operations to customers, improving production for assets that are producing solids. 

Key Takeaways

Generated from the webinar transcript using AI. 

  • Remote solids management is now proven feasible, with Aker BP and FourPhase successfully operating solids handling equipment from 250 km away using a secure, real-time data connection.
  • The pilot demonstrated significant potential to reduce offshore POB, shifting supervision and decision-making onshore while maintaining safety through automation and closed-loop systems.
  • Aker BP’s new GNIST facility and data-driven operating model enabled fast, collaborative decision-making and seamless integration between offshore and onshore teams.
  • Compact, modular solids handling technology from FourPhase made operations possible in limited deck space while delivering full monitoring of solids, oil, water, and gas.
  • Strong early planning, IT security alignment, and involvement of highly experienced personnel were critical success factors, paving the way for expanded remote operations in future projects

Webinar Summary

Generated from the webinar transcript using AI. 

This webinar, hosted by TechnologyCatalogue.com, presented a detailed case study of an industry-first remote solids management project executed by Aker BP (Aker BP) in collaboration with FourPhase. The session highlighted how the two companies combined solids management technology with remote operations, addressing two major themes increasingly important across the energy industry: efficiency, safety, and the ability to operate with minimal offshore personnel.

The presentation was led by Ole Vatne, Senior Intervention Engineer at Aker BP, and Even Solsvik, Product Manager at FourPhase. Vincent, CTO of TechnologyCatalogue.com, moderated the session.

Context: Aker BP’s Strategy for Remote and Data-Driven Operations

Aker BP has been moving strategically toward remote-first, data-driven operations, driven by:

  • The need for faster and more collaborative decision-making
  • A cloud-first infrastructure that allows real-time access to operational data
  • A future portfolio of small, normally unmanned installations with very limited bed space
  • A desire to reduce offshore POB (persons on board) and exposure to hazards
  • A focus on autonomous operations wherever possible

This remote solids management pilot aligned directly with Aker BP’s vision for future operations.

To support this transition, Aker BP invested in “Gnist”, a new integrated operations center in Stavanger, designed with secure data facilities and collaboration hubs. FourPhase was given a dedicated remote operations room inside this facility, complete with CCTV access, a secure connection to offshore systems, and the ability to remotely operate their equipment 250 km offshore.

FourPhase Technology and Capabilities

FourPhase specializes in solids management, handling the “fourth phase” of the production stream—sand and solids—using cyclonic separation with D-SAND and DualFlow systems. Their equipment is designed for:

  • Compact, modular layouts to overcome limited deck space
  • Automated valve sequences
  • Minimal manual interventions
  • Fully sealed, closed-loop operations to avoid atmospheric exposure
  • Real-time monitoring of solids, oil, water, and gas

A central element is the Observer, a system that collects data from FourPhase equipment and client systems, sharing it in real time and supporting predictive maintenance. According to the transcript, this enables decisions “based on data and not on assumptions,” supporting Aker BP’s data-driven operational model.

The Pilot on the Volve IP Field

The companies executed the pilot on the Volve IP field, which consists of a central platform and multiple normally unmanned satellites—an ideal setup to demonstrate remote solids handling.

Key characteristics of the pilot:

  • A hybrid setup:
    FourPhase performed operations remotely from Stavanger while a full offshore crew remained on board as contingency, ensuring safety for a first-time pilot.
  • A closed-loop return system:
    Coil tubing returns flowed through the FourPhase DualFlow unit and were processed before entering the production separator, minimizing risk and maintaining clean returns.
  • Secure communications:
    The system used Aker BP’s established secure point-to-point communication channel, also applied in other remote operations.
  • Modular footprint:
    The entire returns handling package—including choke, DualFlow, and multiphase metering—fit within 4 × 8 meters, demonstrating the value of FourPhase’s compact design.

 

Results and Learnings

The operation was completed safely with no exposure events and successfully demonstrated that solids management equipment can be remotely controlled end-to-end.

Key learnings included:

  1. Need for stronger integration with the offshore intervention crew
    The remote team worked closely with FourPhase’s offshore crew, but for future work more seamless integration across all teams is required.
  2. Early planning and stakeholder alignment
    Remote operations require coordination across IT, facilities, data security, intervention teams, and external vendors. Early involvement was crucial.
  3. Experience matters
    Highly experienced personnel must remain involved—particularly onshore—to ensure safe and consistent operation of automated systems.
  4. Clear path forward
    Future operations aim to reduce offshore personnel from four to one technician per shift, while remote supervisors handle data, sequencing, and automated equipment control.

Overall, the pilot validated that remote solids management is not only technically feasible but also delivers meaningful benefits in safety, efficiency, and offshore resource optimization.

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