One of many wells drilled on Grane. (Illustration: Equinor)
10/07/2020
Since its start-up in 2003, the Grane field in the central part of the North Sea has been among the fields on the Norwegian Shelf that have produced the most.
Operator Equinor has worked systematically on improved recovery alongside its partners Petoro, Vår Energi and ConocoPhillips, including through the application of new technology. Import of gas for injection, advanced well design, use of interdisciplinary reservoir modelling, repeated seismic monitoring using permanent cables on the seabed (PRM) and optimisation of the production strategy have, overall, contributed to improve recovery.
The entire original recoverable PDO volume of 112 million standard cubic metres of oil equivalents (Sm3 o.e.) was produced by the end of 2017, almost 10 years ahead of the original plan. Current total recoverable reserves on the field are estimated at more than 150 million Sm3 o.e., about 38 million Sm3 o.e. more than when the development plan was approved.
Grane is now producing about 90,000 barrels of oil per day. The oil on the field is relatively heavy and viscous, compared with other oil types on the Norwegian Shelf. At year-end, Grane had a recovery factor of more than 56 per cent. Future production plans aim for an increase up to as much as 72 per cent. This will be achieved by drilling even more wells, which demands thorough planning and acquisition of seismic for many years to come.
In the opinion of the jury, the licensees have maintained focus on long-term, good resource management, in part by demonstrating the courage and willingness to drill demanding and advanced wells. This has laid the foundation for the field to achieve its ambitious production targets for the future.
08/12/2023
Analyses show that the Barents Sea contains significant resources, probably more gas than oil. What needs to be done if Norway is to supply Europe with the requested volumes of gas?
06/12/2023
There are vast proven gas resources on the Norwegian shelf which are currently without development plans. Much of this gas is located in tight reservoirs – which makes it difficult to produce.
06/12/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Vår Energi AS drilling permit for well 7219/6-1 in production licence 1025 S, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
05/12/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has conducted a mapping of gas resources that, for various reasons, have yet to be developed. Several of these discoveries could be produced in a manner that is profitable from a socio-economic perspective.
30/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Harbour Energy Norge AS drilling permit for well 15/9-25 in production licence 1138, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
16/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is changing its name to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate as of 1 January 2024. The new name reflects the additional responsibilities assigned to the directorate in recent years.
16/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Equinor Energy ASA drilling permit for well 35/11-28 S in production licence 248 C, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
15/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Neptune Energy Norge AS drilling permit for well 35/6-4 A in production licence 929, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
