Originally scheduled to be taken off stream during 2014, Statoil ASA’s Norne field will remain in operation until 2030, the Norwegian company said. Statoil cited regular maintenance, improved recovery, and recent hydrocarbon discoveries for the field’s extended life (OGJ Online, Sept. 16, 2013).
Located 85 km offshore Norway, Norne field was brought on stream in 1997 and has produced about 700 million boe to date (OGJ Online, Oct. 3, 1994).
Production flows from fifteen subsea templates tied back to a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel. Natural gas is piped to Karsto and from there, to Europe.
Statoil says it plans to increase the recovery factor of Norne to 60% from 56.5%, accessing the estimated 300 million boe of remaining resources.
Details for the life-extension project including scope, timeframe, and investment will be announced in 2017.
Statoil operates Norne field, holding 39.1% interest. Partners Petoro AS and Eni Norge AS hold 54% and 6.9%, respectively.
