Snorre oil field

Snorre oil field. It is a major oil and gas field located in the Norwegian North Sea, approximately 200 kilometers west of Florø. Operated by Equinor, the field is one of the largest and most complex developments on the Norwegian continental shelf, having been instrumental in extending the productive life of the region through extensive use of enhanced oil recovery techniques. The field's infrastructure includes the Snorre A and Snorre B platforms, which are tied into a network of subsea templates and export pipelines.

Overview

The field is situated in the Tampen area of the North Sea, within production licenses PL 057 and PL 089. Its development was sanctioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and has been a cornerstone of Norway's petroleum industry for decades. The asset is jointly owned by a consortium including state-owned Petoro, Var Energi, Idemitsu Kosan, Wintershall Dea, and Aker BP. Production from the field is exported via the Statpipe system and the Kårstø processing plant, with gas also delivered to the European market.

Discovery and development

The discovery was made in 1979 by the exploration well 34/4-1, drilled by the consortium led by Saga Petroleum. Appraisal drilling confirmed a substantial hydrocarbon column within the Triassic and Jurassic sandstones. The Snorre A tension-leg platform, installed in 1991, began production in August 1992. To access additional reserves, the Snorre B semi-submersible platform was later installed in 2001. The development history includes major projects like the Snorre Expansion Project and the Snorre 2040 initiative, aimed at maximizing recovery. The field's original operator, Saga Petroleum, was later acquired by Norsk Hydro, with operatorship ultimately transferred to Equinor.

Geology and reservoir characteristics

The hydrocarbon accumulations are found in the fluvial and deltaic sandstones of the Statfjord Formation and the Lunde Formation, which are part of the larger Viking Graben. The reservoir is structurally complex, consisting of a series of fault blocks with varying oil-water contacts. The original pressure was supported by a large aquifer, but production led to significant pressure depletion. This challenging geology necessitated advanced reservoir management and the implementation of large-scale water alternating gas injection, a key enhanced oil recovery method, to maintain pressure and sweep efficiency.

Production and technology

Peak production was achieved in the early 2000s, with output reaching approximately 200,000 barrels of oil per day. The field is notable for its pioneering use of subsea technology, including multiple subsea templates tied back to the main platforms. Major infill drilling campaigns, such as those conducted by the West Hercules drilling rig, have been crucial for accessing new reservoir segments. The Snorre A platform underwent a significant life extension program to ensure its operability beyond 2040. Produced gas is either reinjected or exported via the Statpipe pipeline to Kårstø.

Future prospects and decommissioning

The long-term strategy, encapsulated in the Snorre 2040 project, aims to recover an additional 200 million barrels through further infill drilling, subsea tie-backs, and continued enhanced oil recovery. Plans include drilling new wells from both existing platforms and new subsea installations. The ultimate decommissioning plan, which will be submitted to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, will involve the removal and disposal of platforms, subsea equipment, and pipelines in accordance with OLF guidelines and international conventions like OSPAR. The field's extensive infrastructure is also considered a potential hub for future tie-ins from smaller discoveries in the Tampen area.

Category:Oil fields in Norway Category:North Sea oil fields