Equinor reports new oil and gas discoveries

The Sleipner field in the North Sea (Photo: Øyvind Gravås and Bo B. Randulff /Equinor)

Equinor has reported new hydrocarbon discoveries in two key producing areas on the Norwegian continental shelf, including an oil find in the Troll area and a gas and condensate discovery near the Sleipner field complex. Both discoveries are considered commercial and are located close to existing export infrastructure serving European markets.

The Byrding C discovery, located about five kilometers northwest of the Fram field in the extended Troll area, is estimated to contain between 4 million and 8 million barrels of recoverable oil.

The well was drilled by the COSL Innovator rig in exploration well 35/11-32 S in production licence 090 HS. The licence is operated by Equinor Energy AS with a 75% interest, alongside partner INPEX Idemitsu Norge AS with 25%.

Equinor said the oil discovery is expected to be developed using existing or planned infrastructure in the area.

“Near-field discoveries like these are important to maintain high energy deliveries from the Norwegian continental shelf going forward,” said Lill H. Brusdal, vice president for exploration and production in the Troll area. “The oil discovered in Byrding C will be produced using existing or future infrastructure in the area. We are working together with our licensees to identify good area solutions.”

The Troll field complex is one of the most important production areas on the Norwegian continental shelf and contains roughly 40% of the region’s total gas reserves. The field is developed through the Troll A, B and C platforms, while nearby fields such as Fram are tied back to Troll C through subsea infrastructure.

Equinor also reported a separate discovery in the Sleipner area, where exploration well Frida Kahlo encountered gas and condensate estimated at between 5 million and 9 million barrels of oil equivalent.

The well was drilled from the Sleipner B platform in production licence 046, where Equinor holds a 58.3% interest. Partners in the licence include Orlen Upstream Norway AS with 24.4% and Vår Energi with 17.2%.

The company plans to bring the Frida Kahlo well on stream as early as April.

The discovery is the latest in a series of exploration successes in the Sleipner area. Over the past three months, four exploration wells in the region—Lofn, Langemann, Sissel and Frida Kahlo—have all encountered gas and condensate.

Together, the four discoveries are estimated to contain between 55 million and 140 million barrels of oil equivalent.

“These discoveries are the result of a targeted exploration effort in the Sleipner area,” said Cecilie Rønning, vice president for exploration and production in the Sleipner area. “Sleipner is an important hub for gas exports to Europe, and we must do everything we can to identify the remaining resources in the area.”

She added that Equinor plans to drill three additional exploration wells and two new production wells in the area this year.

The Sleipner field complex has been producing since the 1990s and is considered a mature producing area. Maintaining production levels increasingly depends on new discoveries that can be tied back to existing facilities.