Chinese (Simplified) 
Chinese (Traditional) 
English 
French 
Alemão 
Italian 
Japanese 
Norwegian 
Spanish 
4 min read
24 comments
Installed in the Atlantic Ocean, the Hibernia platform has been operating since 1997 and extracts oil in one of the most inhospitable regions of Canada, with the capacity to support large icebergs.
The Hibernia offshore platform, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 315 kilometers off the east coast of Canada, is one of the largest oil extraction structures ever built. In operation since 1997, the unit is part of the Hibernia field, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and was designed to withstand severe conditions, such as the impact of icebergs and rough seas.
The structure belongs to the category known as GBS (Gravity Base Structure), built in reinforced concrete and designed to be fixed to the seabed. The aim is to ensure stability even in areas subject to intense natural forces. The concrete base weighs around 600 thousand tons and serves as support for the upper modules, which bring together the production and drilling systems and housing for workers.
Structure was designed to withstand icebergs
The Hibernia offshore platform was designed to operate in one of the most demanding regions on the planet when it comes to oil exploration. The engineers responsible developed a structure capable of withstanding the direct impact of icebergs weighing up to 6 million tons.
-
FPSO GranMorgu reaches 27% construction and marks strategic breakthrough in Suriname
-
20K technology enters offshore action and changes the game in high-pressure wells
-
Petrobras signs US$204 million contract with Prosafe for offshore vessel
-
IBP launches new programs to increase female presence in the offshore sector
Buy
This resistance capacity is related to the gravity base, which keeps the unit firmly fixed to the seabed. Above this base, the upper modules house the extraction and processing equipment, as well as spaces for the operational team. The platform accommodates around 185 professionals in relay regime.
Production began in 1997 and is still active.
Oil production at the Hibernia field began in November 1997, following the installation of the platform at the site. Since then, the unit has maintained stable production levels, contributing significantly to Canada's energy sector. The field is estimated to contain approximately 1,2 billion barrels of recoverable oil.
The oil extracted from the Hibernia offshore platform is light, with a sulfur content of between 0,4% and 0,6%, which favors refining. After extraction, the oil is transported by tankers to the transshipment terminal in Whiffen Head, also in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ownership divided between several companies
Hibernia is operated by Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC), a consortium that brings together several companies operating in the energy sector. The largest stake belongs to ExxonMobil Canada, with 33,125%. The consortium also includes Chevron Canada Resources (26,875%), Suncor Energy (20%), Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation (8,5%), Murphy Oil (6,5%) and Equinor Canada (5%).
This composition reflects the joint interest in exploring the region's energy resources, considered economically viable due to the quality of the oil and the estimated volume of reserves.
Charging system operates in open sea
To transport production, Hibernia relies on a system known as the Offshore Loading System (OLS), which transfers oil directly to vessels. This method avoids the need for underwater pipelines and reduces the time between extraction and arrival of the product at the land terminal.
The use of the OLS system is also well suited to the conditions of the Atlantic coast of Canada, where factors such as climate and sea ice require technical solutions suited to the reality of exploration in deep and cold waters.
Environmental monitoring is a regulatory requirement
Since the beginning of operations, the project has been subject to strict environmental regulations established by Canadian authorities. There are continuous monitoring systems for marine life and water quality around the platform.
In 2019, an operational failure led to an oil spill at sea. The incident led to the temporary suspension of operations and the application of legal penalties. The operator implemented corrective measures to prevent further occurrences and resumed operations after approval from regulatory bodies.
Operation may continue until 2040
According to projections released by the consortium which manages Hibernia, the offshore platform has the potential to continue operating until at least 2040. The estimate considers constant preventive maintenance, investments in system updates and improvements in the extraction process.
The Hibernia project stands out among the oil structures in operation in Canada, both for the size of the construction and for its economic importance. Offshore oil extraction is a consolidated activity in the Newfoundland and Labrador region, and other platforms operate near Hibernia.
Offshore oil is an energy priority in the North Atlantic
Canada's east coast is home to some of the country's largest offshore oil fields. The sector attracts investment from domestic and foreign companies and plays a central role in supplying energy, as well as generating jobs and tax revenue for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On the global stage, Canadian offshore production is considered a stable source with good quality levels. Platforms such as Hibernia continue to operate based on technical and regulatory standards defined by the federal government and the region's regulatory agency.
You can't read the news...
It's regrettable!!!
Everything that is free…😀
In other words, there is no such thing as a free lunch!!!
There is so much propaganda that I give up reading the content of the report.
My Samsung browser blocks all ads.
Good morning, what is the name of your browser?
Hey! On my device the reading is normal…
Impossible to read... I had stopped reading the site due to the amount of ads... Then this suggestion came, I remembered how good the content was and decided, after so long, to try to read it... Impossible, completely impossible to read a single word, there are 4 overlapping pop-ups!!
I agree! Impossible to read any report!
I agree! And it's not a free lunch! We already pay for internet and other things. There should be a way to block it, because if you don't agree with the ad they won't open the news! It's horrible!
Use Android pop-up blocker…