Ocean Installer Lands Contract by Vår Energi for the Balder Next Development

10 November 2025

(Image credit: Ocean Installer)

Ocean Installer has been awarded the project management, engineering, flexible pipelines, and risers product supply contract for the Balder Next development.

The awarded contract supports the fast-track schedule
The remaining scope of the Balder Next – New Wells project is subject to FID (Final Investment Decision) by the license partners.
The Balder Next – New Wells project is planned to be executed by Vår Energi’s Subsea Partnership with Ocean Installer, responsible for the SURF, and OneSubsea, responsible for the SPS.

Front-end engineering and procurement activities are currently underway, with flexible products manufacturing scheduled to commence in 2025, and offshore operations planned for 2027 and 2028.

The Balder field is located in the Norwegian sector of the central North Sea. Vår Energi is the operator and has a 90% ownership, and Kistos has 10% ownership.

The Balder Next – New Wells project will expand production by introducing six new subsea wells and preparing infrastructure for further tie-backs.

This contract is the first step in the Balder Next development, securing engineering for execution and long-lead flexible product deliveries. If the Project FID (Final Investment Decision) is approved, the remaining project scopes Ocean Installer is expected to be awarded will re-classify the full project to a major* contract award.

“This latest award marks another significant milestone in Ocean Installer’s long-lasting relationship with Vår Energi following the successful work on the Balder Future, and the ongoing Balder Phase VI project.

“We look forward to see this positive momentum further develop as the collaboration continues in years to come,” said Geir Austigard, Moreld CEO.

The contract is called off under Ocean Installer’s Strategic Partnership with Vår Energi, signed in June 2022, and a continuation of Ocean Installer’s multi-year collaboration with Vår Energi in the Balder area since 2019.

“We are incredibly proud that Vår Energi continues to again place their trust in Ocean Installer and it is particularly satisfying to see the speed in which the Vår Energi Strategic Partnership is able to mature these opportunities.

“From our first collaboration on Balder Future which started back in 2019 to the fast track Balder Phase VI project awarded before the summer, we’ve built a relationship defined by trust and shared ambitions,” said Kevin Murphy, Ocean Installer CEO.