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Hibernia owner companies The Hibernia offshore oil field is owned jointly by ExxonMobil Canada (33.125%), Chevron Canada Resources (26.875%), Petro-Canada (20%), Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation (8.5%), Murphy Oil (6.5%) and StatoilHydro Canada Ltd (5%). |
The Hibernia Platform The Hibernia platform has three separate components: Topsides Gravity Base Structure (GBS) Offshore Loading System (OLS) The completed platform was towed to the Hibernia oil field and positioned on the ocean floor in June of 1997 and began producing oil on November 17, 1997. The platform stands 224 metres high, which is half the height of New York's Empire State Building (449 metres) and 33 metres taller than the Calgary Tower (191 metres). |
Topsides
The Topsides facilities accommodate all drilling, producing and utility equipment on the Hibernia platform, and provide living quarters for the steady-state crew of approximately 185 people. The Topsides facilities have a design capacity of approximately 230,000 barrels of crude oil production per day. In 2003, the C-NOPB gave Hibernia permission to increase its annual production rate to 220,00 KBD.
The Topsides is composed of five super modules:
M10 Process
Gas and water are separated from the produced oil, and gas is then compressed for reinjection into the reservoir. Produced water is treated and discharged into the ocean.
M20 Wellhead
Drilling operations occur within the Wellhead Module, upon which two mobile drilling derricks are mounted. The platform is designed to drill two wells at a time.
M30 Mud
Drilling muds are pumped down the drill pipe and through holes in the drill bit to cool the bit, prevent the hole from collapsing and wash the cuttings away from the bottom of the hole. The muds are produced in the Mud Module.
M40 Utilities
The Utilities Module contains various equipment required for power generation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, water distribution, and so on.
| M50 Accommodations The Accommodations Module houses the eating and sleeping quarters for people working offshore, as well as offices and meeting areas. It is equipped with TV lounges, an exercise room (including sauna) and a fully equipped recreation area (including computers, ping pong tables, pool tables, and other amenities). The Accommodations Module also contains the temporary safe refuge (TSR) in the event of an emergency. The TSR provides emergency power, radio communications and medical facilities. Also located here is the main lifeboat station, helideck and Selantic Skyscape evacuation system. |
 The recreation area of the Accommodations Module is equipped with numerous amenities, including two pool tables. |
Gravity Base Structure
The Topsides is supported by a massive concrete pedestal called the Gravity Base Structure (GBS) which was constructed in Bull Arm, Newfoundland. The GBS, which sits on the ocean floor, is 111 metres high and has storage capacity for 1.3 million barrels of crude oil in its 85 metre high caisson. The GBS is specially designed to withstand the impact of sea ice and icebergs to allow for year-round production.
