Johan Sverdrup oil field : Equinor commissions phase 2 of offshore Norwegian field

Equinor has brought phase 2 of the Johan Sverdrup oil field in the Utsira High region in the Norwegian North Sea on stream, marking full stretch operation of the play.

On reaching plateau, the Johan Sverdrup field is said to deliver every third Norwegian oil barrel and ensure stable energy deliveries from Norway.

The Johan Sverdrup oil field will yield 720,000 barrels of oil per day at peak, with a target production of 755,000 barrels daily.

Geir Tungesvik — Equinor Projects, Drilling & Procurement executive vice president said: “The entire Johan Sverdrup field is now on stream.

“This is a red-letter day for us and our partners, Aker BP, Petoro and TotalEnergies, but also for Norway and Europe.

“Johan Sverdrup accounts for large and important energy deliveries, and in the current market situation, most of the volumes will go to Europe.”

Equinor commissions phase 2 of Johan Sverdrup oil field in Norwegian North Sea. (Photo courtesy of Lizette Bertelsen & Jonny Engelsvoll / Equinor)

The Johan Sverdrup oil field with a total of 2.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil, is said to meet 6-7% of Europe’s daily oil demand.

The $4.9bn Johan Sverdrup phase 2 project facilities include a new platform, 28 new wells, five new subsea systems, a new module for the existing riser platform, and equipment to transmit power from shore to the Utsira High area.

The Johan Sverdrup field receives power from shore through cables from Haugsneset north of Stavanger, thereby minimizing CO2 emissions by a total of 1.2 million tonnes annually.

Marianne M Bjelland — Johan Sverdrup and Martin Linge areas exploration and production vice president, said: “In combination, this reduces CO2 emissions by a total of 1.2 million tonnes per year, equivalent to 2,5 percent of Norway’s annual emissions.

“Electrification is an important measure to further developing the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) towards the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

The first cable is committed to the first four platforms on the Johan Sverdrup field with electricity and the new cable supplies the fifth platform and the rest of the Utsire High installations.

Equinor Energy operates the Johan Sverdrup oil field with a 42.6% stake. Its partners in the North Sea oil field are Aker BP (31. 6%), Petoro (17.36%), and TotalEnergies (8.44%).