Equinor ASA and partners submitted a plan May 25 for development and operation (PDO) to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for development of the Halten East area near Åsgard field in the Norwegian Sea, the companies said in separate releases. The plan provides for investments of NOK 9 billion.
Halten East contains six gas and condensate discoveries (Gamma, Harepus, Flyndretind, Nona, Sigrid and Natalia) and option on three additional three prospects.
In 2020, after determining that individual project development was uneconomical, four licensees—Equinor, Vår Energi AS, Spirit Energy Norway AS, and Petoro ASA—agreed to develop the licenses as a unit with Equinor as operator.
Development
Halten East subsea development consists of five subsea templates (three in the south, two in the north) that will be tied back to existing infrastructure on Åsgard field. The project will be executed in two phases. In phase one, six wells will be drilled in 2024-2025. Phase two is expected to be developed in 2029. Production from the first two wells is scheduled to begin in 2025. A total of up to 10 wells are expected to be drilled. Wells will be put on stream as they are completed.
The southern structures will be tied in to a 49-km pipeline from Mikkel South to Åsgard subsea compressor manifold station (SCMS). The northern structure will be tied in to a 22-km pipeline from Natalia to SCMS.
Gas and oil-condensate are sent to Åsgard B for processing, and oil and condensate are stored in Åsgard C for export by tankers. Produced gas is sent through the Åsgard Transport gas pipeline to Kårstø, and from there to Europe.
Recoverable reserves in Halten East are estimated at 100 MMboe, 60% of which is gas.
Contracts have been let to Technip FMC for the installation of pipelines and subsea structures, and Aker Solutions for the subsea production system. A letter of intent was given to Aker Solutions for an umbilical. Contracts have been let for drilling, drilling services, specialist services, and modifications to the Åsgard B platform module.
Equinor is operator with 57.70% interest. Partners are Petoro AS 5.90%, Vår Energi AS 11.80%, and Spirit Energy AS 24.60%.
