Petrojarl Knarr Helideck

Economic Reasons. The helideck was an integral part of the Petrojarl Knarr FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) vessel. The closure corresponds with the cessation of production from the Knarr oil and gas field, which was no longer economically viable after seven years of operation. The FPSO, along with its helideck, was subsequently removed from the location, rendering the ICAO code NO-0129 obsolete.

The original site at coordinates 61.781944, 2.831944 is now open sea, as the Petrojarl Knarr FPSO has been removed. The subsea infrastructure of the Knarr field is undergoing permanent decommissioning. The physical helideck still exists as part of the FPSO vessel itself. After leaving the field, the vessel was moved to a shipyard in Stord, Norway, for preservation and modification in preparation for future projects.

The Petrojarl Knarr Helideck (NO-0129) was a private aviation facility crucial for the operation of the Knarr field in the Norwegian North Sea from March 2015 to May 2022. It was not a public airport. Its sole purpose was to serve the Petrojarl Knarr FPSO, handling all helicopter operations for crew changes, transportation of specialized personnel, light cargo delivery, and medical evacuations (medevac). It was a vital link ensuring the safe and continuous manning and support of the offshore production facility.

There are zero prospects for reopening at the original location (ICAO: NO-0129), as the Knarr field is permanently shut down. However, the Petrojarl Knarr FPSO and its integrated helideck are slated for redeployment. In May 2024, it was announced that the vessel will be modified and used for Equinor's Rosebank field development, west of the Shetland Islands (UK sector). The helideck will become operational again at this new location, likely under a new ICAO designator specific to the UK.