NORWAY: The Eldfisk North Project, located in the Greater Ekofisk Area in the North Sea and operated by ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS, has commenced its first oil production several weeks ahead of schedule.
The Eldfisk North Project, situated in PL018, is a joint effort of TotalEnergies EP Norge AS (39.896%), ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS (35.112%), Vår Energi ASA (12.388%), Sval Energi AS (7.604%), and Petoro AS (5%).
The Norwegian authorities approved the Eldfisk North Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) in December 2022, with the original production start scheduled in the second quarter of 2024.
However, efficient cooperation across companies has enabled earlier first oil production.
“Sound and productive collaboration among our employees and the many contractors and business partners has contributed to strong safety results with zero personnel injuries, delivering yet another successful project ahead of schedule,” said Steinar Våge, ConocoPhillips’ President for Europe, Middle East, and North Africa.
The Eldfisk North Project includes three six-well subsea templates located approximately seven kilometres from the Eldfisk Complex.
The PDO involved drilling up to 14 wells, with nine as producers and five for injecting water into the reservoir.
The project will utilise available capacity at Eldfisk 2/7 S for processing and transportation, leveraging existing infrastructure in the Greater Ekofisk Area.
The project’s total resource potential ranges from 50 to 90 million barrels of oil equivalent, with an estimated total capital expenditure of almost NOK 13 billion (AU$1.8 billion).
This estimation includes cost developments for extended drilling duration, inflation, and currency exchange rates.
The project has also created approximately 4,000-4,500 jobs, with over 80 per cent of the total contract value awarded to Norwegian businesses.
The Eldfisk Field was discovered in 1970, with the original plan for development and operation approved in 1975.
A new plan for development and operation was later approved for the Eldfisk II Redevelopment Project in 2011.
The Eldfisk reservoir consists of fractured chalk containing mainly oil, similar to surrounding fields in the Greater Ekofisk Area.
