Equinor proposes a North Sea gas discovery to extend Gina Krog field’s life and reduce emissions through electrification, according to Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
« It shows that the Norwegian continental shelf is competitive». When the energy crisis struck, there was close cooperation with Norwegian authorities to deliver as much gas as possible to Europe and increased gas export from Gina Krog, by exporting gas that was previously injected to improve oil recovery, was an important contribution, explained Equinor. This brought the need to accelerate projects to extend the life of the field to the surface. « The development will extend Gina Krog’s productive life from 2029 to 2036, and will be vital for the Sleipner area».
With the electrification of Gina Krog and partial electrification of Sleipner, Equinor claims that production from Eirin will have low emissions, just three kilos of CO2 per barrel of oil equivalents. The production start-up is expected as early as 2025 and the field is operated by Equinor with KUFPEC Norway as its partner . Eirin is a gas field located 250 kilometres west of Stavanger. The field was proven in 1978 and was part of the Gina Krog field development but was later put on hold.
It will be developed as a subsea facility, which will be adapted and ready for tie-in of future discoveries in the area, including an optional expansion for two to four new wells. The volumes from Eirin will be received at Gina Krog before being sent on for further processing while condensate will be exported to Sleipner A via the planned oil pipeline from Gina Krog to Sleipner A. Gas will be transported by pipeline to the Sleipner A facility for further processing. The sales gas will be exported from the Sleipner A facility via Gassled to the market, while unstabilised condensate will be exported to the terminal at Kårstø. Equinor is also working on finding new hydrocarbons.
To this end, the Norwegian giant hired two semi-submersible rigs from COSL Offshore Management for drilling operations off Norway.