Kvitebjørn

Kvitebjørn Gas and Condensate Field Profile

Location

The Kvitebjørn field is situated in the Tampen area of the northern North Sea, approximately 15 kilometers southeast of the Gullfaks field, within block 34/11.

Discovery and Production

The field was discovered in 1994. The plan for development and operations (PDO) was approved in 2000, and production commenced on 26 September 2004.

Water and Reservoir Depth

The water depth at the Kvitebjørn field is 190 meters. The reservoirs are located at a depth of around 4000 meters.

Geology and Reservoirs

The field produces gas and condensate from Middle Jurassic sandstone in the Brent Group. Secondary reservoirs are found in the Lower Jurassic Cook Formation and the Upper Triassic Statfjord Group. Initially, these reservoirs were characterized by high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions.

Development Concept

The field is developed using an integrated facility that includes living quarters, drilling, and processing capabilities, supported by a bottom-fixed steel jacket.

Production and Recovery Strategy

Production from the field is managed through pressure depletion. To enhance recovery, gas pre-compression was initiated in 2014, which has increased gas recovery from the field. As of the 2021 plan, the field is expected to produce around 105 billion cubic meters of gas, 20 million cubic meters of NGL (Natural Gas Liquids), and 32 million cubic meters of condensate.

Transport and Processing

Rich gas from the field is transported through the Kvitebjørn Gas Pipeline to the Kollsnes terminal. After processing at Kollsnes, the dry gas is sent through the transport grid to the European continent. Condensate is transported via a pipeline tied to the Troll Oil Pipeline II and further to the Mongstad terminal for separation into butane, propane, and naphtha.

Additional Operations

The field also receives condensate from the Valemon field, and starting from 2023, Valemon gas is routed via the Kvitebjørn facility.

Ownership

The Kvitebjørn field is owned by a consortium that includes Equinor, Orlen, Petoro, Sval Energi, and TotalEnergies.

Production Status and Future Outlook

As of recent data, the field has recovered approximately 83.88% of its total recoverable reserves, with peak production achieved in 2012. Production is expected to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2042. The field currently accounts for about 1% of Norway’s daily gas output. New producers are being drilled, and further drilling is planned to maintain production levels.

Current Production Decline

Production from the Kvitebjørn field is currently declining, but ongoing drilling activities aim to sustain production levels.