Norway Extends Life of Gullfaks

Norway's upstream regulator has approved the extension of Gullfaks C platform until 2036, almost doubling the duration of the production licence.

Operator Equinor said that the facility can be operated at a profit up to 2032, with an option for further extension in connection with maturing new improved recovery projects on Gullfaks.

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said March 4 the extension would allow the recovery of the remaining resources on Gullfaks, and the platform could act as a host platform for other reserves including oil from the tight layers in the Shetland group and the Lista formation, it said.

Gullfaks C treats and exports oil and gas from Gullfaks South, Gimle, Visund South and Tordis. Gullfaks C was installed in May 1989 in 216 metres of water and began producing at the start of 1990. The design lifetime was 30 years.

Block 34/10 was called the “Golden Block” back in 1978 when it was awarded to Statoil, Norsk Hydro and Saga Petroleum, with Statoil as operator. The Gullfaks area has exceeded all expectations, and has created significant values for society through thirty years of production.

The licensees on the field are state-owned Equinor and Petoro and Austrian OMV.