Utgard

Utgard Gas and Condensate Field Profile

Location and Geography

• The Utgard field is located in the central part of the Norwegian sector in the North Sea, straddling the boundary between Norway and the UK. Specifically, it is situated 20-21 kilometres west of the Sleipner area.
• The water depth in this area is approximately 110-120 metres.

Operator and Ownership

• The field is operated by Equinor Energy AS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Equinor ASA. Equinor is the primary owner, with additional ownership by Orlen SA.

Discovery and Development History

• The Utgard field was discovered in 1982.
• The Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) was submitted in 2016 and approved in 2017.

Reservoir and Geology

• The reservoir consists of Middle Jurassic sandstones in the Hugin Formation, with minor hydrocarbon volumes in the Sleipner Formation. The main reservoirs are at a depth of approximately 3,700 metres.
• The field produces gas with a high CO2 content and some condensate. It is divided into two main segments (west and east) which are in pressure communication via the aquifer.

Development Concept

• The development concept involves a 4-slot subsea template with two wells. These wells are tied back to the Sleipner T facility for processing and reduction of the CO2 level in the gas.
• The gas and condensate are produced via a 21 km pipeline to the Sleipner T installation on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). A separate control umbilical is installed between the subsea template and the Sleipner A installation.

Production

• Production started in the fourth quarter of 2019. During the plateau phase, the field produces approximately 7,000 Sm³ per day of oil equivalent.
• The production has been on decline due to early water breakthrough. Currently, only the well in the eastern segment is producing, while the well in the western segment is watered out. Plans are in place to sidetrack both wells in 2024 to increase recovery from the field.

Transport and Processing

• The well stream from the Utgard field is processed at the Sleipner T facility. The sales gas is exported via the Gassled pipeline system, while the unstable condensate is transported by pipeline via Sleipner A to the Kårstø terminal for further processing and export.

Environmental Considerations

• The development of the Utgard field involves several environmental considerations, including seabed disturbance, atmospheric emissions, discharges to sea, interactions with other sea users, and spill risk. However, the Environmental Statement (ES) concluded that the development project would not have a significant environmental impact.

Contractors and Services

• Wood Group Kenny provided FEED support for the pipeline system and detailed design scope of the subsea tie-back.
• Aker Solutions provided engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCIC) services for the Sleipner platform alterations.

Production Life and Reserves

• The field is expected to produce for approximately 9-10 years, with production anticipated to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2027.
• The recoverable reserves are estimated at 56.4 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Current Status

• As of the latest updates, the Utgard field has recovered about 84.94% of its total recoverable reserves, with peak production achieved in 2020.
• The field is currently facing challenges due to early water breakthrough, but plans to sidetrack the wells are underway to enhance recovery.