Equinor starts Eirin gas production, boosting North Sea exports to Europe
(WO) - Equinor has started production from the Eirin field in the North Sea, bringing new gas volumes online for export to Europe through existing infrastructure at Gina Krog and Sleipner A.
The subsea tieback development is expected to recover about 27.6 MMboe, mostly gas, and was completed in roughly three years from project establishment to startup. Equinor said the project was accelerated as Norwegian gas took on greater importance for European supply following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Eirin was originally discovered in 1978 but had previously been considered uneconomic. The field has now been developed as a subsea facility tied back to the Gina Krog platform, with gas exported through the Sleipner system, one of Norway’s key hubs for gas deliveries to Europe.
“The partnership saw an opportunity to contribute to Europe’s energy security in a challenging time,” said Linda Kåda Høiland, senior vice president for late-life fields in Equinor. She added that Eirin will extend production from Gina Krog by seven years.
Total investment in the project is estimated at NOK 4.5 billion. Equinor said the development also demonstrates how smaller discoveries can be brought onstream more quickly through standardized solutions, early collaboration and use of existing infrastructure.
According to the company, the project will help extend the economic life of Gina Krog from 2029 to 2036.
Images: Equinor.
