Gråsel oil field : Aker BP and partners to invest $140m to develop Norwegian Sea discovery in 2021

Aker BP and its partners in the Skarv Ara in the Norwegian Sea have decided to develop the Gråsel oil field next year having approved a final investment decision.

The development of the Gråsel discovery is expected to involve an investment of around NOK 1.2 billion ($140.4 million). Gråsel was discovered in 1998.

Aker BP’s partners in the Gråsel oil project, which is located nearly 210km west of Sandnessjøen, Norway, are Equinor, Wintershall Dea, and PGNiG.

According to Aker BP, the Gråsel oil field has a total of nearly 13 million barrels of oil equivalent. The oil and gas production from the new field will use available capacity on the existing production vessel (FPSO) in place at the Skarv field.

Aker BP, which is the operator, said that the partners plan to draw the first oil from the Gråsel field during Q4 2021, which will be the same period as the Ærfugl phase 2 project will begin production.

Ine Dolve – Aker BP SVP Operations and Asset Development said: “This will be the first time Aker BP links two projects to the same field center in the same year. This will be a milestone for the company.

“It also showcases how the excellent alliance collaboration with our suppliers contributes to safe and efficient project implementation.”

The Gråsel development involves the drilling of a new producer well from an existing well slot on the Skarv field, and injection support from a joint injector for Gråsel and Tilje.

Aker BP said that the successful early-phase work with the Gråsel project will be used as a model for future developments of smaller discoveries. The company expects the Gråsel oil field to also help in the lifetime extension for the Skarv FPSO.