International rig engineering specialist RDS has been awarded a $10m contract to carry out front-end-engineering-design (FEED) work on Statoil’s Johan Sverdrup development in the Norwegian North Sea.

The FEED work will be undertaken by the RDS team in London through a subcontract with Aker Solutions for full front end engineering of the drilling facilities throughout the platform. Whilst RDS has worked with most of the major topsides contractors in London and Houston, this will be its first contract with Aker Solutions.

RDS senior vice president Simon Drew said: "We look forward to delivering a safe, efficient and cost-effective solution for Statoil’s Johan Sverdrup development, whilst building a long-term relationship with both Statoil and Aker Solutions.

"This will be the fourth major Statoil project we are currently working on from our London office. We have developed a strong relationship with Statoil through the high quality of greenfield projects delivered in London and our strong focus on project execution from our offices in Norway."