The plan for development and operation (PDO) of the second phase of the Johan Sverdrup field development was formally approved by Norwegian authorities on 15 May. The same day sees the construction start of the field’s second processing platform at Aibel’s yard in Haugesund.
“This is a big day for Equinor and the other Johan Sverdrup partners comprising Lundin Norway, Petoro, Aker BP and Total. Johan Sverdrup is a world-class field that will provide value to its owners and society for 50 years ahead with record-low emissions. This truly marks the beginning of the second development phase,” says Anders Opedal, executive vice president for Technology, Projects and Drilling in Equinor.
The project received broad support in the Storting (Norway’s parliament) on Monday 29 April, and today the partnership received the formal approval by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE).
Johan Sverdrup is the biggest field development on the Norwegian continental shelf since the 1980s. Phase two of the development, with planned start-up in Q4 2022, will increase field production from 440,000 barrels of oil per day to 660,000 barrels per day.
The second development phase has a capital expenditure of NOK 41 billion. In addition to construction of a new processing platform (P2), the development will also include modifications of the riser platform, five subsea systems, and preparations for power supply from shore to the Utsira High in 2022.
