Hasselmus gas project : OKEA and partners to develop Norwegian Sea discovery

OKEA and its partners Petoro and Neptune Energy Norge have decided to go ahead with the Hasselmus gas project in the Norwegian Sea with an investment of NOK 600-700 million ($72-84.25 million).

The Hasselmus gas discovery will be developed as the first ever tie-back to the OKEA-operated Draugen production platform. It will add more than 4,000 barrels of oil equivalents per day to Draugen’s production.

According to OKEA, the Hasselmus gas project is estimated to recover nearly 1.65 GSm3 (10.6 million barrels of oil equivalents) as fuel and export gas.

Furthermore, the offshore project will also pave the way for the restart of the export of associated gas including natural gas liquid (NGL), which is presently being injected into the reservoir.

The Hasselmus gas project will involve the direct tie-back of a single subsea well with the Draugen platform located 7km northwest from it in production licence 093.

It is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2023. The plateau gas production from the Hasselmus gas field will be over 4,400 barrels of oil equivalents per day gross, said OKEA.

The Hasselmus gas discovery was made in 1999 by Norske Shell through the drilling of the 6407/9-9 T2 well, which intersected a gas column of 16m and an oil column of 6.8m at a depth of 1,700m.

Hasselmus gas project design

OKEA and partners to move ahead with the Hasselmus gas project. Image courtesy of OKEA ASA.

OKEA CEO comments on Hasselmus gas project

Svein J. Liknes – OKEA CEO said: “I am very pleased on my first day as CEO of OKEA to be able to announce that the Draugen licence has committed to developing the Hasselmus gas discovery.

“The project is important for the long-term development of Draugen and demonstrates our ability to deliver on organic growth opportunities.”

OKEA is the operator of the Draugen licence with a stake of 44.56% and the Hasselmus gas project. Petoro and Neptune Energy Norge hold stakes of 47.88% and 7.56%, respectively.

Knut Gjertsen – SVP Projects and Technology in OKEA said: “The Hasselmus project is the first field development project for OKEA as operator. Based on the single well subsea development solution with tie-back to the Draugen platform it is also a financially robust project.

“The temporary tax measures adopted by Parliament in June last year, have ensured a timely development of Hasselmus during a period of significant market volatility.”