Date of Completion: 26/05/2025

Project Phase: Commissioning

Project: HAR333 / Updating & Development of Brodgar H5 Initial Start-Up Procedures

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About the Asset

Brodgar is a gas-condensate field located in the Central North Sea, approximately 160 km offshore in 135 m of water. Developed as part of the Britannia Satellites (BritSats) project, it comprises four production wells (H1–H4) tied into a 40.8 km flowline to the Britannia platform. The new H5 well has been tied back to the H4 skid, with provisions for future field expansion.

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Katoni’s Role

Katoni updated operational procedures for the Brodgar field to reflect the integration of the new H5 well. This included reviewing the Basis of Design, Flow Assurance, HAZOP, and well operations guidelines to ensure alignment with Harbour Energy’s safety and operational standards.

New commissioning procedures were developed for key utilities (MEG, Methanol, SI, CI) and H5 well commissioning and start-up, along with a controlled depressurisation procedure for the Brodgar flowline to enable a safe tie-in. The result was a consistent, compliant, and safe operational framework that ensured stakeholder alignment and procedural clarity.

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Understanding the Client’s Needs

Katoni worked closely with the client’s Projects, Production, and Offshore Operations teams to understand the operational, safety, and documentation requirements for the Brodgar H5 commissioning and initial start-up.

New procedures were developed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems and real-time project inputs. The focus was on clarity, accuracy, and practical offshore usability - fully incorporating Flow Assurance and HAZOP recommendations. The result was a timely, robust set of documents supporting safe and efficient delivery.

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Key Activities

• Embedded early in project reviews, examining design documents (P&IDs, PFDs, and Basis of Design) and engaging in technical meetings to understand system scope and challenges.
• Modernised and enhanced critical procedures for chemical injection, flowlines, and wells (existing and new) covering start-up, shutdown, depressurisation, and repressurisation.
• Incorporated Flow Assurance findings to mitigate hydrate risks, maintain MEG reclamation unit operation, and optimise methanol/MEG injection.
• Developed practical support tools - including tailored log sheets, sampling schedules, and operational guidance - for offshore teams.
• Delivered a focused training slide pack and collaborated closely across project, commissioning, and offshore teams to ensure alignment and readiness for start-up.

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The Katoni Way: Where ESG Meets Operational Excellence

Recognising the operational and environmental importance of the MEG reclamation unit, Katoni challenged initial recommendations to bypass it during start-up. By coordinating with Production and Offshore teams, a strategy was developed to achieve safe, efficient start-up without bypassing — supporting ESG goals and avoiding unnecessary approvals.

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Solving Problems Before They Become Delays

To ensure alignment with updated choke settings, Katoni Engineering proactively performed preliminary choke sizing and incorporated the results into the Initial Start-Up Procedure. This foresight avoided the need for full flow assurance rework - saving time and cost while maintaining delivery timelines.

The client recognised Katoni’s ability to adapt efficiently and integrate technical updates without disruption.

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