Norwegian oil and gas operator increases stake in Berling field and updates development plans

(WO) – DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, announced the acquisition of an additional 10 percent stake in the Berling (previously Iris Hades) field development project from Sval Energi AS on Dec. 19.

The partnership will submit a plan for development and operation (PDO) to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy before the end of December. They will recommend that the Berling field be developed as a subsea tieback to the Åsgard B platform some 20km (12.43 miles) away.

Separately, plans have been submitted to the Ministry for the Andvare field development (previously Gjøk) by a partnership comprising DNO Norge AS, operator Equinor Energy AS and PGNiG Upstream Norway AS. The field lies within a license that also includes the producing Alve field as a subsea tieback to Norne FPSO.

Andvare will use existing infrastructure and an available Norne well slot, allowing for a fast-track development of the gas discovery.

A third DNO-operated Brasse project offshore Norway matured towards a 2022 investment decision. As recent changes in the temporary petroleum tax system and industry cost pressures have significantly weakened the project’s economics, the license partners (DNO and Vår Energi ASA with 50 percent each) have decided not to submit a PDO by yearend 2022.

DNO is considering its options to commercialize the Brasse oil and gas discovery, including through a modified development concept.