Norway’s Equinor has begun hookup work to the FPSO Johan Castberg, which is now securely anchored in place on its field site in the Barents Sea. Over the next few months, the vessel will be tied into subsea facilities in preparation for production startups, which remains on target to occur prior to year-end.
Johan Castberg is a large oil field with estimated recoverable volumes of between 450 and 650 million bbl. The field will produce for 30 years, and at its peak, it may produce 220,000 B/D.
The field development concept includes 30 wells distributed across 10 subsea templates and two satellites that will now be tied back to the FPSO. So far, 13 of these wells have been drilled, and drilling operations will continue into 2026.
“This is an important milestone for Equinor and its partners Vår Energi and Petoro,” said Trond Bokn, Equinor's senior vice president for project management control.
“Johan Castberg strengthens Norway's role as a reliable, long-term energy supplier. The field will create great value for society, and long-term ripple effects and jobs. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed.”
The field is located 240 km northwest of Hammerfest, with a supply and helicopter base in Hammerfest and an operations organization in Harstad.
Norwegian suppliers have accounted for more than 70% of the total deliveries to the project and are expected to provide 95% of deliveries in the operating phase.
“Johan Castberg is important for our development plans in Northern Norway,” said Grete Birgitte Haaland, Equinor's senior vice president for Northern Norway. “When the field comes on stream, a new province will be opened for oil recovery in the Barents Sea. This provides new opportunities for the exploration for and development of new discoveries in the area. Working with our partners we are already maturing five discoveries towards a possible tie-in to Johan Castberg.”
The project's North Norwegian content is estimated at about 40%, and every third employee lives in Northern Norway.
Johan Castberg comprises three discoveries: Skrugard, Havis, and Drivis, which were made between 2011 and 2013. The FPSO is 313 m long, 55 m wide, and 120 m high, and boasts a storage capacity of 1.1 million bbl of oil.
Equinor operates the license with a 50% working interest. Partners Vår Energi and Petoro hold 30% and 20% stakes, respectively.
