en.Wedoany.com Reported - Norway's Equinor (58.7% stake) and Poland's Orlen Upstream Norway (41.3% stake) have recently commenced natural gas production from the Eirin field in the North Sea. Located approximately 250 kilometers west of Stavanger at a water depth of 120 meters, the field holds estimated recoverable resources of around 27.6 million barrels of oil equivalent, primarily natural gas. Eirin was discovered back in 1978 but was shelved due to poor economics. In 2023, driven by changing energy demand in Europe, the partners reassessed the field and devised a fast-track development plan.
The Eirin field is being developed via a tie-back to the existing Gina Krog platform, with gas exported to Europe through the Sleipner A hub. Total project investment is approximately 4.5 billion Norwegian kroner (USD 463 million), which will extend the economic life of the Gina Krog platform from 2029 to 2036. The platform has been powered by electricity from shore since 2023, with about 90% of this power coming from hydropower and 8% from wind power, resulting in low carbon emissions from field production at around 3 kilograms of CO2 per barrel of oil equivalent.
Equinor Senior Vice President Linda Kåda Høiland stated: "The partners saw an opportunity to contribute to European energy security in challenging times. We set an ambitious plan for a fast, cost-effective, and safe development, which has now been realized. Eirin will extend production at the Gina Krog platform by seven years." She also emphasized that moving from project establishment to production start took only three years, thanks to efficient decision-making and standardized solutions.
Orlen Management Board President Ireneusz Fąfara noted: "Natural gas production on the Norwegian Continental Shelf plays a crucial role in enhancing the energy security of Europe and Poland, making Orlen's long-term presence in Norway strategically significant. The start-up of the Eirin field strengthens our position in the region." At peak production, Eirin will deliver approximately 270 million cubic meters of natural gas per year to Orlen, corresponding to Orlen's net recoverable reserves of 1.2 billion cubic meters. Wiesław Prugar, Member of the Orlen Upstream Management Board, stated that tying in Eirin will increase Gina Krog's production by 9.7 million barrels of oil equivalent, with Orlen's net share increasing by 4 million barrels.
After processing, the gas is transported to the Nybro entry point and onward to Poland via the Baltic Pipe. Both parties plan to continue exploration in the Gina Krog–Eirin area to unlock further potential.
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