Aker BP has commenced production from Aerfugl gas and condensate field Phase 1 development. Approval for the start was granted by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate in October (OGJ Online, Oct. 2, 2020).
Development of the Norwegian Sea field will occur in two phases, both with three wells, all of which will be tied in to Skarv FPSO 210 km west of Sandnessjøen in Nordland county for processing and further transport.
Aerfugl lies just west of Skarv field in 350-450 m of water. Phase 1 lies in the southern part of the field. Phase 2, in the northern part of the field, is expected to come on stream in 2021.
Field development is enabled by more efficient reservoir drainage through new vertical valve trees, and long distance, electrically heated flow lines to avoid hydrates in gas pipelines, the operator said, adding that the technology improves heat efficiency and enables longer tie-backs.
The development is adding 5 years lifetime extension to the Skarv FPSO, said Sverre Isak Bjørn, vice-president, operations and asset development, Skarv area, in a Nov. 13 release. When both phases are on stream, utilization of the FPSO will double current levels, he said. Energy efficiency is also set to improve, potentially lowering CO2 emissions from the FPSO by 30-40%/bbl, he said.
The Aefugl gas reservoir is more than 60 km long, 2-3 km wide, and holds about 300 million producible boe in Lysing formation sandstone of Cretaceous age at a depth of 2,800 m.
Total investment costs for the Aerfugl project (Phases 1 and 2) are 8 billion kroner.
Aker BP is operator at Aerfugl with 23.9% interest. Partners are Equinor (36.1%), Wintershall Dea (28.1%), and PGNiG (11.91%).
