Equinor has commenced production at the Halten East development in the Norwegian Sea, two years after receiving approval from Norwegian authorities.
The partners in the project are Equinor Energy (69.5%, operator), Vår Energi (24.6%) and Petoro (5.9%).
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Located in the Kristin-Åsgard area, the project comprises six gas discoveries, with flexibility for three additional prospects, utilising the existing infrastructure at Åsgard B.
The six discoveries are Flyndretind, Gamma, Harepus, Natalia, Nona and Sigrid.
Gas will be sent to Åsgard B via five subsea templates, with CO₂ intensity expected to be 3kg per barrel of oil equivalent.
Equinor executive vice-president for projects, drilling and procurement Geir Tungesvik said: “We are starting up Halten East at a time where piped gas from Norway is in high demand and important for energy security. In a challenging cost and inflation environment, the project has been delivered both on time and within our cost estimate.”
The plan for development and operation was approved in February 2023.
The first well, Gamma, is now on stream, marking the completion of the initial phase, which includes six wells from five discoveries.
The second phase, planned for 2029, will feature a side track and potentially three more wells.
The total investment for both phases is approximately Nkr9bn ($850.2bn).
Halten East’s reservoirs contain gas and condensate, with recoverable reserves estimated at around 100 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Gas from Halten East will be transported to Kårstø from Åsgard B.
Equinor executive vice-president for development and production on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) Kjetil Hove said: “Halten East demonstrates the importance of area solutions and cooperation between licence owners and authorities to realise the full resource potential on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
“Together, we can develop industrial solutions that will continue to deliver energy with low costs and low emissions. We have a large portfolio of projects that will connect discoveries to our producing hubs. Equinor expects to put over 30 such projects on stream at the NCS within 2035.”
Approximately 90% of Halten East’s investments have been allocated to Norwegian suppliers.
In November 2024, Equinor increased its stake in the Halten East Unit to 69.5% by acquiring Sval Energi’s 11.8% share.
