Equinor and its partners have started production from the Breidablikk field in the Norwegian North Sea, four months ahead of schedule.

The subsea field, which is tied back to the Grane platform, is expected to have a peak production capacity of 55–60,000 barrels per day.

The field is estimated to hold almost 200 million barrels of recoverable oil.

Equinor projects, drilling & procurement executive vice-president Geir Tungesvik said: "Breidablikk will come on stream four months ahead of schedule, within budget, and with higher initial production than expected.

“The project is highly profitable, provides important volumes to the market, and will create great value for Norwegian society and the owners. Nearly five million working hours have gone into the project.”

Equinor said that eight wells have been drilled at the field. Additional wells will continue to be drilled until the end of 2025.

A total of 22 subsea wells are due to be drilled at the field from four templates.

Equinor Norway exploration and production executive vice-president Kjetil Hove said: "Breidablikk can help to extend the productive life and the approximately 1,000 jobs associated with the operation of the Grane field towards 2060.

“By utilising existing infrastructure both offshore and onshore, this is a cost-effective development. At peak, Breidablikk is expected to send up to 55–60,000 barrels of oil to the market daily, mainly to Europe.”

Once the oil produced from the Breidablikk field is processed in the Grane field, it is supplied to the Sture terminal in Øygarden via pipeline.

Equinor operates the Breidablikk field with a 39% stake. Other partners include Vår Energi (34.4%), Petoro (22.2%) and ConocoPhillips Skandinavia (4.4%).