Equinor Initiates Second Phase of Åsgard Subsea Compression Project in Norwegian Sea to Boost Gas Recovery

Equinor Boosts Gas Recovery with Åsgard Subsea Compression Phase Two

Norwegian state-owned energy company Equinor has officially initiated the second phase of its subsea compression project at the Åsgard field in the Norwegian Sea. This strategic move is designed to significantly enhance gas recovery from the field, ensuring sustained production and maximizing resource utilization on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Project Details and Location

The Åsgard subsea compression project is situated in the Norwegian Sea, with the compression station located at a depth of 270 meters on the Midgard field, approximately 40 kilometers from the Åsgard field center. The project's primary objective is to increase pressure in the pipelines connecting the wells to the Åsgard B platform, thereby counteracting natural pressure decline in the reservoirs and maintaining gas flow. The Åsgard Subsea Compression (ÅSC) station is recognized as the largest subsea processing plant ever installed, boasting a total weight of 5,100 tons and a footprint of 3,300 square meters, towering 26 meters above the seabed.

The partners in the Åsgard license include Equinor (operator with 35.01%), Petoro (34.53%), Vår Energi (22.65%), and TotalEnergies EP Norge (7.81%). For the Mikkel license, partners are Equinor (operator with 43.97%), Vår Energi (48.38%), and Repsol Norge (7.65%).

Technological Advancement and Impact

The second phase involves the installation of the final compressor module, following the replacement of the first module in 2023. The subsea compression system, which first came online in 2015 as the world's first facility for gas compression on the seabed, has demonstrated remarkable reliability with almost 100% uptime over the past decade. This advanced technology utilizes two identical compressor trains operating in parallel, each powered by an 11.5 MW electric motor.

According to Trond Bokn, Equinor's Senior Vice President for Project Development, 'In this project, Equinor, together with partners and suppliers, has further developed and qualified the next generation of compressor modules. The technology allows us to recover more gas from producing fields. Good resource utilisation is important to maintain high and stable production from the Norwegian continental shelf.'

Enhanced Recovery and Economic Value

The full implementation of both phases of the subsea compression project is projected to increase the recovery rate from the Mikkel and Midgard fields to an impressive 90%. This is expected to yield an additional 306 million barrels of oil equivalent from these fields. The system has already contributed significantly to the Norwegian economy, generating approximately NOK 175 billion in increased value creation from the Åsgard field.

Randi Hugdahl, Vice President for Exploration and Production for Åsgard and Kristin, highlighted the system's performance, stating, 'The compressor system has produced stably for ten years with almost 100% uptime. The system has so far contributed to increased value creation from the field of about NOK 175 billion.'