Bauge

Location

The Bauge field is situated in block 6407/8 of production license PL348 in the Norwegian North Sea. It is located approximately 15 km east of the Njord field, in a water depth of 282 meters.

Operator and Partners

The Bauge field is operated by Equinor Energy AS. The field is part of a partnership that includes Wintershall Dea Norge AS, which has a significant stake in the project.

Production and Development

The Bauge field started production in April 2023, following extensive development work. The field is tied back to the Njord platform, which underwent major upgrades to extend its production life and accommodate production from new fields, including Bauge. The tie-back involves one subsea template, two oil production wells, and one water injector.

Infrastructure and Upgrades

As part of the Njord Future project, the Njord A platform and the Njord Bravo Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel were refurbished to support the additional production from Bauge and other nearby fields. The upgrades included significant modifications to the platform, such as the installation of new modules, a new helicopter deck, and enhanced safety systems. These upgrades have increased the platform's payload capacity and buoyancy, ensuring continued efficient operation.

Production Volumes and Reserves

While specific production volumes for the Bauge field alone are not detailed, it is part of the broader Njord field complex which is expected to contribute significantly to the overall production targets of the operators. Wintershall Dea, one of the partners, aims to reach a production target of 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day on the Norwegian shelf, with the Njord field, including Bauge, playing a key role in achieving this goal.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

The project includes initiatives to reduce environmental impact, such as a new project to partly electrify the field alongside the nearby Draugen platform, which will significantly decrease CO2 emissions from the field.

Economic and Strategic Significance

The development of the Bauge field is part of a larger strategy to maximize recovery from existing fields and to explore and develop new discoveries in the Norwegian North Sea. The project ensures the field's lifetime is extended by at least 20 years, providing a hub for further exploration and development in the surrounding waters.

In summary, the Bauge oil field is an integral part of the Njord field complex, operated by Equinor and partnered with Wintershall Dea, among others. Its development and production are crucial for extending the life of the Njord field and contributing to the overall oil and gas production targets in the Norwegian North Sea.