Equinor brings Eirin field online, exporting gas to Europe

Equinor ASA has brought Eirin field online and is now exporting gas to Europe via the Gina Krog and Sleipner A platforms in the North Sea.

Previously deemed uncommercial, Eirin field was reassessed in 2023 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the need for more diverse energy sources, Equinor said in a release May 5. The operator submitted a plan for development and operation of the Norwegian North Sea gas field to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in 2023. The plan was approved in January 2024.

Recoverable reserves in the field, which lies 250 km west of Stavanger in water depth of 120 m, are estimated at 27.6 MMboe, including 3 billion standard cu m of natural gas. The field was developed as a subsea tieback and is expected to extend production from the Gina Krog platform by 7 years to 2036. The gas is exported via Sleipner A, a key hub for Norwegian gas exports to Europe. 

Gina Krog was electrified in 2023, bringing CO₂ emissions for the field to about 3 kg CO₂ per bbl produced (oil equivalents).

Equinor is operator of the licence with 58.7% interest. ORLEN Upstream Norway AS holds the remaining 41.3%.