Aker wins double with BP and Kvaerner

expat network

Aker wins double with BP and Kvaerner

Aker Solutions has secured a global framework agreement to deliver engineering and project management services at BP-operated subsea oil and gas fields.

The contract has a fixed period of five years and may be extended by two years. It covers subsea engineering services, asset integrity management and operations support.

“We are delighted to partner with BP in finding cost-effective solutions to boost productivity and optimize the infrastructure of the company’s subsea fields,” said Luis Araujo, Aker Solutions’ chief executive officer. “We have provided subsea operations support to BP in the UK for more than 15 years and look forward to building on this partnership with a global agreement.”

The company has also signed a subcontractor agreement with Kværner, which was awarded the framework agreement for the Njord Future project by Statoil. Aker Solutions’ initial delivery will be front end engineering design (FEED) work. The contract with Kværner also includes engineering work in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase of the project should the operator decide to proceed with this, as well as an option for prefabrication work.

The MMO unit in Bergen will execute the FEED work with support from Aker Solutions’ engineering business in Oslo, working as an integrated team with Kværner. The work will start immediately and at its peak involve 120 employees of Aker Solutions.

Aker Solutions has previously delivered concept and feasibility studies on upgrading Njord to Statoil.

Source: www.akersolutions.com

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.