Equinor has identified 2 new gas and condensate fields in the Sleipner area of the North Sea that could represent up to 110 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent. These are the largest gas discoveries made by Equinor in 2025.
The wells, named Lofn and Langemann, are located between the Gudrun and Eirin fields, and were drilled under production license 1140, which the company obtained in 2022. Thanks to the infrastructure already in place in the Sleipner area, these volumes could be developed quickly and efficiently. be developed quickly and efficiently..
Technology applied in exploration
Exploration of these reservoirs was supported by Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seismic technology, a tool that improves the quality of geological data by placing sensors directly on the seabed. This allowed Equinor and its partners to detect accumulations in the Hugin Formation, characterized by good reservoir quality sandstones.
Both wells, Lofn (15/5-8 S) and Langemann (15/5-8 A), reached depths of more than 4600 meters and are classified as high pressure high temperature (HPHT). Despite their technical complexity, they will be able to be connected to existing installations through subsea developments, thus reducing costs, CO CO₂ emissions emissions and environmental impact.
Importance for Europe
The Sleipner area is a strategic center for the export of dry gas. dry gas from Norway to Europe, with connections to hubs such as Zeebrugge and Easington. Equinor stresses that developing new volumes near fields already in operation allows export capacity to be maintained at optimal levels.
This demonstrates the importance of maintaining exploration activity on the Norwegian continental shelf. Significant energy resources still exist on the shelf, and Europe needs stable supplies of oil and gas.
Kjetil Hove, Executive Vice President of Exploration and Production for Equinor in Norway.
Hove also advanced that the company has plans to drill 5 additional exploratory wells in the same area, in collaboration with its partners.
Next steps in the Sleipner area
The 1140 license holders are Equinor Energy AS with 60% and Aker BP ASA with 40% and drilling was carried out by the Deepsea Atlantic rig, which is now targeting the Sissel prospect near the Utgard field, also within the Sleipner infrastructure.
Such gas discoveries reinforce Norway’s strategy of securing Europe’s energy supply with clean, cost-effective and readily available sources. They also reduce uncertainty in nearby prospects, opening the door to new drilling and development opportunities.
Source and photo: Equinor