Øst Frigg

Øst Frigg Oil and Gas Field Profile

Location

The Øst Frigg field is situated in the central part of the North Sea, approximately four kilometres east of the Frigg field. It is located about 220 kilometres northwest of Stavanger, Norway, and around 45 kilometres northeast of the Alvheim field.

Discovery and History

Øst Frigg was discovered in 1973, with the initial well (25/2-1) proving a 56-metre gas column and a 7-metre oil column in the Eocene-age Frigg Formation.

Development and Production

• The Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) was approved in 1984.
• The field was developed with two subsea templates and a central manifold station tied to the Frigg field.
• Production began in 1988 and continued until the field was shut down in 1997. During this period, the field produced gas from sandstone reservoirs of the Eocene-age Frigg Formation. The oil layer, although present, was too small to be economically recovered at that time.

Reservoir Details

• The reservoir is located at a depth of approximately 1900 metres and consists of high-quality sandstone rocks from the Eocene age in the Frigg Formation.
• The field contains two separate structures that are part of the same pressure system as the Frigg field.

Recent Appraisal and Redevelopment

• In early 2022, Aker BP conducted drilling investigations to assess the remaining oil potential in the Øst Frigg field. Wells 25/2-23 A and 25/2-23 S were drilled, with 25/2-23 A encountering oil columns in the Frigg Formation, though the amounts were relatively small (3-metre and 2-metre oil columns).
• Further drilling and appraisal activities were carried out in 2022 and 2023, including horizontal drilling in the Beta and Epsilon structures. These activities revealed significant oil reserves, estimated between 40 MMboe to 90 MMboe in the Øst Frigg Beta/Epsilon area.

Current Status and Future Plans

• The recent discoveries and appraisals have led to plans for the redevelopment of Øst Frigg as part of the larger Yggdrasil project, which includes the Fulla, Hugin, and Munin license groups.
• The Yggdrasil project, approved by Norway’s Parliament in June 2023, involves the development of new subsea templates and the redevelopment of existing fields, including Øst Frigg. This project will be remotely operated from an onshore operations center in Stavanger and will utilize power from shore to minimize emissions.

Infrastructure and Operations

• The original infrastructure included two subsea templates and a central manifold station. For the redevelopment, new subsea templates with multiple slots will be installed to facilitate drilling and production.
• The produced hydrocarbons will be transported for further processing, likely to the Hugin A facility as part of the Yggdrasil project.

Environmental and Technological Aspects

• The redevelopment will incorporate advanced technologies, including geosteering and data-driven decision-making, to optimize well placement and reduce environmental impact.
• The project will be powered from shore, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Resource Estimates

• The original gas reserves were depleted by 1997, but recent appraisals suggest significant remaining oil potential, with estimates ranging from 40 MMboe to 90 MMboe in the Øst Frigg Beta/Epsilon area.

Partners and Contractors

• Aker BP is the operator, with partners including Equinor and PGNiG Upstream Norway in the Yggdrasil project.
• Contractors involved in the development include Aker Solutions and Subsea 7, among others, for the subsea production system and other infrastructure.

In summary, the Øst Frigg field, initially developed as a gas field, is undergoing a significant redevelopment as part of the broader Yggdrasil project, aiming to tap into its previously untapped oil reserves and extend the field's productive life.