Equinor starts production from Kristin South

Equinor, in collaboration with its partners Petoro, Vår Energi, and TotalEnergies EP Norge, commenced production from the first Lavrans well in the Kristin South area as of 7 July.

The partnership had submitted the plan for development and operation (PDO) of the Lavrans and Kristin Q discoveries as satellites to the Kristin field in 2021, with the PDO receiving approval from the authorities in 2022. This marks the first phase of the Kristin South project.

“The Kristin South project demonstrates our strategy to create value by developing existing infrastructure on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Together with our partners and suppliers, we have developed the project and started production from Lavrans in a safe and efficient manner,” Trond Bokn, Senior Vice President for Project Development at Equinor, stated.

A new subsea template has been installed and tied into the Kristin platform, which is now processing oil and gas from the first well at the Lavrans field. The gas will be exported through the pipeline system to the European market, while the oil will be transported by ship via the Åsgard C storage vessel.

As part of the first phase of the Kristin South project, four additional wells are planned—three at the Lavrans field and one in the Q-segment at the Kristin field. The latter will be drilled from an existing subsea template that has been tied back to the Kristin SEMI.

The PDO estimates that phase one of the Kristin South project will yield an expected production of 6.2 billion cubic metres (GSm3) of gas and 1.9 million cubic metres (MSm3) of oil, amounting to a total of 58.2 million barrels of oil equivalent.

“This is a key milestone in our plan to continue developing new resources in a mature area of the Norwegian Sea. Tying in additional resources to our producing hubs is a cost-efficient way to add production and extend the lifespan of our operational fields. This approach contributes to energy security and job creation in Norway,” commented Grete B. Haaland, Senior Vice President for Exploration & Production North.

The CO2 intensity for extraction and production in Kristin South phase one is remarkably low—less than 1 kilogram of CO2 per barrel of oil equivalent, with emissions primarily generated from drilling activities.

Norwegian suppliers have been awarded over 60% of the contract values in the development phase, creating significant ripple effects along the coast. The project is estimated to have generated 4,000 person-years of employment across Norway, with 800 in the Mid-Norway region, during the 2020-2025 period.

The Lavrans field was discovered in 1995, while the Kristin field commenced production in 2005. The technical lifetime of the Kristin platform is currently estimated to extend to 2043, with potential for further extensions.