Type:
Oil
Facility:
Production
Water Depth:
76
Installed:
2002
meters
Block:
46114
Design:
Fixed steel
Sub Structure:
1340
Topsides Wgt:
0
tonnes
tonnes
Intro
Ekofisk X-BS is a tripod-type wellhead support structure in the Ekofisk field of the Norwegian North Sea, installed in 1997. It augments the network of Ekofisk subsea facilities by providing manifold and riser support for production and injection wells. X-BS is integrated into the broader Ekofisk complex via flowlines and umbilicals to processing platforms.
Field
Located in the southern Norwegian North Sea, the Ekofisk field produces oil from chalk reservoirs of Late Cretaceous and Paleocene age. The complex hosts dozens of fixed and subsea installations tied together to access mature reserves, sustain pressure via water injection, and route hydrocarbons into export pipelines feeding major European markets.
Facilities
The Ekofisk X-BS structure supports multiple subsea wellheads and flowlines, acting as a manifold node that consolidates production and injection streams. It connects via rigid flowlines and flexible umbilicals to central processing installations such as Ekofisk J and other hub platforms. Wells tied into X-BS deliver fluids to separation and treatment systems located on larger facilities in the complex; separated oil and gas are then routed to export pipelines via central nodes. X-BS incorporates subsea control modules and safety systems to manage well operations, including blow-out prevention and remote operation capabilities. Hydraulics and electrical power are supplied through umbilicals from nearby platforms; corrosion protection and structural robustness are designed for prolonged service in North Sea environmental conditions. Export infrastructure in the Ekofisk area includes the Norpipe oil pipeline to Teesside and the Norpipe gas pipeline to Emden, integrating X-BS streams into the wider transport network.
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