Ærfugl phase 1 starts production

The Ærfugl project has started production from phase 1 on time and within budget – a milestone for the subsea development in the Norwegian Sea. The field is operated by AkerBP, Wintershall Dea is a project partner with shares of 28 %. “We have worked closely together with our license partners to deliver this project as efficiently as possible. Along with AkerBP and the rest of the consortium, we are now reaping the benefits of the laser sharp project management on this development,” said Synnøve Helland, Vice President for Non-Operated Assets for Wintershall Dea Norge.

The start-up of Ærfugl bolsters Wintershall Dea’s position in this area of the Norwegian Sea, where the company already has a strong position as a major shareholder in the Skarv field. Ærfugl will add an additional five-year economic lifetime to the Skarv production vessel, double the produced amount, and significantly reduce the emissions per barrel produced. “The partnership has been excellent and finding extra value from our position around the Skarv field. The area is already a cornerstone of our production here in Norway, and this will contribute to it remaining that way for many more years to come,” said Lars Olav Martinsen, Skarv area Asset Manager for Wintershall Dea Norge. The field will help Wintershall Dea to increase its natural gas exporting business, which is already among the largest in Norway.

Ærfugl is a gas/condensate field with approximately 300 million BOE of recoverable reserves according to AkerBP. The Ærfugl project is being developed in two phases consisting of three wells each. Both phases are tied into the existing production vessel (FPSO) on the Skarv field, which is located some 210 km west of Sandnessjøen on the West coast of Norway. Phase 1, which develops the southern part of the Ærfugl field, consists of three new wells that have now gone into production. Phase 2 consists of an additional three wells in the northern part of the field. In April 2020, the licensees put one well from phase 2 on stream three years ahead of schedule. The remaining two wells for Phase 2 are scheduled to come on stream in 2021.