GDF SUEZ keeps track of 40 billion cubic meters of gas with Energy Components

GDF SUEZ has selected the Energy Components (EC) software suite to manage hydrocarbon accounting from the Gjøa field, the largest recent industrial project in Norway.

The Gjøa field is the largest recent industrial project in Norway when the Vega development is included (as the latter sends its gas to Gjøa for processing). The field, located off the coast of North Western Norway, is estimated to hold reserves of 40 billion cubic meters of discovered gas. GDF SUEZ has selected Energy Components’ integrated software solution for the accounting and reporting of gas volumes for the entire value chain – production, transport, sales and revenue.

11 million cubic meters of gas per day

GDF SUEZ implements EC Production for hydrocarbon accounting for the first time. As first time production operator on the Norwegian continental shelf, the company had not required this type of software before. Production start at Gjøa was in November 2010, and the field now produces daily gas volumes of 11 million cubic meters. The EC solution system is scaled for handling total gas exports of 17 million cubic meters per day (including the Vega field) to meet expected growth in production.

The Gjøa platform. Photo courtesy of GDF SUEZ.

Successful integration

Raju Pakalapati, responsible for implementing the EC Production and EC Regulatory Reporting Norway (ECRRNO) modules, has worked closely with Tieto to identify and describe the business requirements. He is pleased with their new software: “It is a well established product and the resources from Tieto knew what had to be done based on long experience with similar projects. Integrating our solution with that of our partners, including Statoil, Gassco and Segal, was also efficient as they already use the EC software.

Demanding configuration

In terms of challenges in the project, Raju mentioned that GDF underestimated the amount of configuration needed: “For GDF SUEZ this is a challenge as we don’t maintain a centralized pool of EC resources. Once the implementation is over the team members return to their responsibilities, and hence the competence is not shared in other projects. Had we known, we might have staffed it differently. That said, the project was delivered on time and to degree of satisfaction required and the solution is in very good shape now.”

EC Transport

As operator of Gjøa, GDF SUEZ must provide transparent reporting for regulatory purposes. Raju is therefore working on implementing EC Transport as well for the handling of gas lifting and balancing accounting (GLBA). “We expect huge advantages from running both EC Production and Transport. The decision to implement EC Transport is taken by all the partners in the Gjøa field to ensure hassle free reporting,” he added.

EC Sales

With the EC Sales module, GDF SUEZ manages gas sales contracts with different customers, both for short-term and long-term obligations. The software enables full transparency and traceability of prices and quantities sold of the oil and gas related products including NGL. GDF SUEZ has experience in using the EC Sales module as they also use it for assets in the Netherlands.

From manual to automatic invoicing

GDF SUEZ has gone from manual handling of invoices to a more automated process. Rikumatti Kangas, Controller at GDF SUEZ E&P Norway AS, handles outgoing invoices concerning sales in the company. All input is now sourced from one location automatically rather than collecting data from different sources. “The EC Revenue solution sources contract data, including volume and prices, from the EC Sales module automatically. Hence, I save time creating the invoices, and with one system only I enjoy easy data access and traceability.”

Kangas, who does not have a technical background himself, has relied on Tieto to “translate” and configure his requirements for reporting and invoicing into a technical solution. The part of the product already in operation matches his expectations, and additions will gradually be made to complete the project. “Now the system works for us and we run the processes in one common system, replacing several manual and excel based models. Initially there is always a challenge to go from a manual to a more automated system, but once finished it will work according to requirements and we will improve efficiency and accuracy with EC Revenue,” said Kangas.

Photo courtesy of GDF SUEZ.