Equinor began production at the $6 billion Verdande oil field in the Norwegian Sea on December 2nd, extending the lifespan of the nearby Norne field beyond 2030. the new subsea field, which required a significant capital investment, is expected to deliver 36 million barrels of oil over its lifetime and contribute to energy security in europe. This development highlights EquinorS continued focus on maximizing output from existing infrastructure in a key oil and gas producing region.
Production has begun at the $6 billion Verdande project, extending the lifespan of the Norne oil field beyond 2030. The new field is expected to deliver 36 million barrels of oil over its lifetime.
Briefly
Table of Contents
- Production at the Verdande project in the Norwegian Sea began on December 2nd.
- Verdande connects to the production ship at the Norne field, helping to extend Norne’s lifespan to after 2030.
- The new field represents a $6 billion investment and is expected to deliver 36 million barrels of oil over its lifetime, according to Equinor.
- Equinor owns 59.3 percent and is the operator of Verdande, noting that the development has contributed to significant activity along the Norwegian coast.
Summary created by AI tool ChatGPT and quality-assured by E24 journalists
Production began at the Verdande oil field on December 2nd, Equinor announced Thursday morning.
The subsea field follows Andvare, which came online earlier this fall.
Both fields are located on the seabed and utilize existing infrastructure at the Norne field in the Norwegian Sea. The Norne field began operations in 1997, with extraction occurring via a production ship (FPSO).
Verdande contains 36 million barrels of oil and is expected to extend the operational life of Norne beyond 2030, according to Equinor.
“I am proud that, in close collaboration with our license partners and suppliers, we have delivered the Verdande project on schedule, less than three years after the partnership decided on the investment,” said Trond Bokn, Equinor’s head of project development, in a statement.
He believes that rapid and cost-effective developments near existing infrastructure are key to further developing the Norwegian continental shelf.
$6 Billion Investment
Investments in Verdande total $6 billion, measured in 2025 figures.
The field consists of the Cape Vulture discovery made in 2017 and the Alve Nordøst discovery made in 2020.
“For us, it is important to maximize resource utilization around existing infrastructure. Norne started up in 1997, and now Verdande is adding 36 million barrels and a production of 37,000 barrels per day at peak,” Bokn told E24.
“This provides new volumes and more energy to Europe, and 930 jobs are linked to the operation of Norne.”
Norne’s Sixth Tie-In
Verdande is developed with three wells in a well frame. This is connected to the Norne field with a pipeline.
“To date, we have connected six subsea fields to the Norne production ship, including Andvare, which started in September, and now Verdande,” said Grete B. Haaland, Equinor’s area director for Exploration & Production North, in a statement.
“Verdande contributes to extending the lifespan, value creation and ripple effects from the operation of the Norne field,” she said.
Equinor notes that the development has created significant activity along the coast, citing deliveries from TechnipFMC based in Kongsberg, Agility in Tønsberg, Westcon Helgeland in Nesna, Aibel’s office in Harstad, Momek in Mo i Rana, Subsea 7 in Vigra and Stavanger, a consortium of Subsea 7 and Deep Ocean from Haugesund, as well as Aquarock in Sandnessjøen, among others.
The project has also increased activity at the supply base in Sandnessjøen and the helicopter base in Brønnøysund, the company said.
Equinor is the Largest Owner
The development plan for Verdande was delivered in 2022. At that time, Equinor projected a production start in the fourth quarter of 2025, which they successfully achieved.
When the plan was submitted, the company described Verdande as a “economically profitable and robust project.”
The oil from the Norne ship is transported to market by tankers. There is also some gas in the Verdande field. This will flow via the Åsgard Transport gas pipeline to Kårstø on the mainland.
Equinor owns 59.3 percent and is the operator of Verdande.
Partners include state-owned Petoro with 22.4 percent, DNO with 10.5 percent, Aker BP with 3.5 percent, Japex Norge with 3.5 percent, and Orlen Upstream with 0.8 percent.
DNO has agreed to take over the assets from Aker BP and Orlen Upstream, pending approval from the authorities.
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