Field/project development

Johan Sverdrup Capacity Increased to Half Million B/D

Following positive results in a November capacity test, the Johan Sverdrup field is set to increase daily production capacity.

Platform in Johan Sverdrup field
Source: Arne Reidar Mortensen/Equinor ASA.

Following positive results in a November capacity test, the Johan Sverdrup field is set to increase daily production capacity. Capacity will rise from today’s 470,000 to around 500,000 B/D in the second increase since the field came on stream just over a year ago. The move will increase the field’s total production capacity by around 60,000 bbl more than the original basis when the field came on line.

Overall, the field is estimated to have resources of 2.7 billion BOE.

“The field has low operating costs, providing revenue for the companies and Norwegian society, even in periods with low prices,” said Jez Averty, Equinor’s senior vice president for operations south in development and production, Norway.

The Johan Sverdrup field uses water injection to secure high recovery of reserves and maintain production at a high level. An increase in the water-injection capacity should further increase production capacity by mid-2021, according to Rune Nedregaard, vice president for Johan Sverdrup operations.

Phase 2 production starting in Q4 2022 will raise the Johan Sverdrup full-field plateau production capacity from 690,000 to around 720,000 B/D.

Equinor operates the field with 42.6% stake; other partners include Lundin Norway (20%), Petoro (17.36%), Aker BP (11.57%), and Total (8.44%).