Equinor, along with its partners Petoro, Vår Energi, and TotalEnergies EP Norge, has commenced production from the first Lavrans well in the Kristin South area. This marks the first phase of the Kristin South project, which involves developing the Lavrans and Kristin Q discoveries as satellites to the Kristin field. The plan for development and operation (PDO) of the Lavrans and Kristin Q discoveries was submitted in 2021 and approved by the authorities in 2022.
The project aligns with Equinor’s strategy to create value by leveraging existing infrastructure on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Trond Bokn, senior vice president for project development in Equinor, emphasises the collaborative efforts of the partners and suppliers in successfully developing the project and initiating production from Lavrans in a safe manner.
As part of the project, a new subsea template has been installed and connected to the Kristin platform, which will process oil and gas from the Lavrans field. The gas will be exported to the European market through the pipeline system, while the oil will be transported via the Åsgard C storage vessel.
In addition to the Lavrans well, the first phase of the Kristin South project includes plans for four more wells, three at the Lavrans field and one in the Q-segment at the Kristin field. The drilling of the latter will be carried out from an existing subsea template tied back to the Kristin SEMI.
The expected production in phase one of the Kristin South project, as estimated in the PDO, comprises 6.2 GSm3 of gas and 1.9 MSm3 of oil, equivalent to a total of 58.2 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Grete B. Haaland, senior vice president for Exploration & Production North, highlights the significance of this milestone in the company’s strategy to develop new resources in a mature area of the Norwegian Sea. By integrating additional resources into existing producing hubs, Equinor aims to enhance production, extend the lifespan of its fields, and contribute to energy security and job creation in Norway.
The CO2 intensity for the extraction and production of Kristin South phase one is exceptionally low, with less than 1 kg of CO2 emitted per barrel of oil equivalent. The majority of emissions will stem from the project’s drilling activities.
Furthermore, the development phase of the project has seen Norwegian suppliers securing over 60 percent of the contract values, generating positive economic effects along the coast. It is estimated that the project will create around 4,000 person-years of employment across Norway, with 800 of those in the Mid-Norway region, between 2020 and 2025.
The Lavrans field was discovered in 1995, while the Kristin field has been in operation since 2005. The Kristin platform is currently estimated to have a technical lifetime extending until 2043, with potential for further extensions.
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