Development of the Ærfugl gas and condensate field in the Norwegian Sea is planned in two phases. The authorities have given start-up consent to the operator Aker BP to start production from Phase 1.

Production is also taking place from an earlier test production well in Phase 1 and an accelerated well in Phase 2, which was drilled from an available well slot on one of Skarv’s subsea templates.

All production on Ærfugl will be tied in to Skarv, situated 210 kilometres west of Sandnessjøen in Nordland county. Aker BP and the other licensees plan to complete the Ærfugl development with the remaining two wells in Phase two.

Ærfugl was proven in 2000. The plan for development and operation (PDO) for the development was approved in April 2018. Export of gas from Skarv will be postponed to obtain capacity for the Ærfugl gas on Skarv FPSO. This will contribute to improved oil recovery on Skarv.

Niels Erik Hald, the NPD’s assistant director for development and operations, says “it’s positive that production from Ærfugl Phase 1 will start as planned.”

KeyFacts Energy: Aker BP Norway country profile