The Snorre oil field is a significant oil and gas field located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Florø. It spans blocks 34/4 and 34/7 on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Discovery and Development
The Snorre field was discovered in 1979 by Saga Petroleum (now part of Equinor). Due to its complex geology and water depth, it presented significant development challenges. Production commenced in August 1992.
Operations and Infrastructure
Equinor (formerly Statoil) is the operator of the Snorre field, with partners including Vår Energi, Petoro, Idemitsu Petroleum Norge, Wintershall Dea, and DNO Norge. The field is developed with two main production platforms and extensive subsea infrastructure:
- Snorre A: A tension leg platform (TLP) installed in 1992, handling oil and gas processing and drilling operations. It is located in the northern part of the field.
- Snorre B: A semi-submersible drilling and production platform installed in 2001, located in the southern part of the field. It is the first platform of its kind designed for tie-back to a host platform (Snorre A) for full processing.
Hydrocarbons from Snorre are transported via pipeline. Oil is sent to the Statfjord B platform for further processing and export, while gas is transported to the Kårstø processing plant via the Statpipe system.
Geology and Reserves
Snorre is one of the largest and most complex developments in the Norwegian North Sea. The reservoirs are found in the Lunde and Statfjord formations from the Triassic and Lower Jurassic periods, respectively, at depths between 2,000 and 2,500 meters. The field is characterized by a faulted reservoir structure requiring advanced drilling and recovery techniques. Significant investments have been made in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, including water injection and gas injection, to maximize recovery.
Snorre Expansion Project
To extend the field's productive life and improve recovery, the Snorre Expansion Project (SEP) was sanctioned. This project involved substantial investments in new subsea templates, production and injection wells, and upgrading existing facilities. The aim of SEP is to add significant recoverable resources and extend the field's operational lifespan beyond 2040. The expansion project started production in late 2021.
Significance
The Snorre oil field is a cornerstone of Norwegian oil and gas production, known for its longevity, technological complexity, and continuous efforts to maximize resource recovery through advanced drilling and EOR techniques. It remains an important contributor to Norway's hydrocarbon output.