Equinor Energy AS and partners received permission to increase gas exports from two fields on the Norwegian continental shelf to supply the tight European market.
Production permits for Oseberg and Troll fields have each been increased by 1 billion cu m (bcm) for the gas year starting Oct. 1
In June, the operator took steps to evaluate and develop concepts for enhancing production and exports to the European market, which resulted in enhanced production permits from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for the fields.
Specifically, Equinor and partners received production permits for the gas year 2021 (starting Oct. 1) which for each is 1 bcm higher than for the current year. Oseberg increases to 6 bcm from 5 bcm and Troll increases to 37 bcm from 36 bcm.
Troll
After 25 years of significant gas exports from Troll in the North Sea, about 50% of the gas is left in the ground, Equinor said. Troll Phase 3 started production Aug. 27 to further develop the area (OGJ Online, Aug. 30, 2021).
Recoverable volumes from Troll Phase 3, which will produce the Troll West gas cap, are estimated at as much as 347 billion standard cu m of gas. Total recoverable gas volume remaining in Troll is estimated at 715 billion standard cu m.
Troll Phase 3 will extend the life of Troll A and the Kollsnes processing plant beyond 2050, and the plateau production period by 5-7 years.
