Equinor granted consent to operate Mikkel field through 2039

Equinor Energy AS was granted consent by the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway to extend operation of Mikkel gas and condensate field in the Norwegian Sea.

Consent for extended operation has been granted until Dec. 31, 2039, from the previous expiration date of July 3, 2023.

The pressure decline in the reservoir has been less than anticipated, resulting in increased recoverable volumes compared to PDO estimates of 20 bcm of dry gas and 35 million bbl of condensate. Installation of the Åsgard subsea gas compressor has accelerated and prolonged gas production from the field.

Mikkel field lies in the eastern part of the Norwegian Sea on the Halten Bank, 30 km north of Draugen field in water depth of 220 m. Mikkel was discovered in 1987, and the plan for development and operation was approved in 2001. The field is developed with two subsea templates tied back to the Åsgard B semisubmersible floating platform. Production started in 2003.

The field produces gas and condensate from Jurassic sandstone in the Garn, Ile, and Tofte formations. The field consists of six structures separated by faults, all with good reservoir quality. It has a 300-m thick gas-condensate column and a thin underlying oil zone. The reservoir depth is 2,500 m.

Equinor is operator with 43.97%. Partners are Var Energi ASA (48.38%) and Repsol Norge AS (7.65%).