ORLEN and Equinor Identify New Gas Resources on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

Photo credit: Øyvind Gravås and Bo B. Randulff / © Equinor

(IN BRIEF) ORLEN Upstream Norway and Equinor have confirmed a new natural gas discovery at the Sissel prospect in the central North Sea, with estimated recoverable resources of up to 28.3 million barrels of oil equivalent. Expected to deliver around 1 billion cubic meters of gas via the Baltic Pipe, the discovery supports ORLEN’s strategy of strengthening supply security for Poland and Central Europe. Located close to existing infrastructure, Sissel could be developed efficiently as a tie-back to the Utgard and Sleipner facilities, complementing ORLEN’s wider upstream growth plans in Norway.

(PRESS RELEASE) PŁOCK, 21-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — ORLEN Upstream Norway, together with its partner Equinor, has made a new natural gas discovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, further strengthening the ORLEN Group’s upstream portfolio and its role in securing gas supplies for Poland and the wider region. The discovery, known as Sissel, is expected to yield approximately 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which will be delivered to Poland via the Baltic Pipe system.

The Sissel discovery was made within the PL1137 license area in the central North Sea, around 250 kilometres southwest of Stavanger. Drilling operations were completed in 39 days despite challenging weather conditions. The exploration well reached a total depth of 4,359 metres and confirmed the presence of natural gas with condensate. Initial estimates place recoverable resources at between 6.3 and 28.3 million barrels of oil equivalent.

The new find reinforces ORLEN’s long-term strategy of building a resilient and diversified upstream base in Norway. Gas produced from the Norwegian Continental Shelf continues to play a critical role in ensuring supply security for Polish customers, particularly during periods of elevated demand. Earlier this year, daily gas consumption peaked at around 100 million cubic metres, prompting increased imports, including higher volumes transported through the Baltic Pipe.

From a development perspective, Sissel offers clear operational advantages. The discovery is located approximately five kilometres south of the Utgard field and could be developed as a subsea tie-back to existing infrastructure. Utgard itself is connected to the Sleipner complex, one of ORLEN’s most important production hubs in Norway, which includes the Sleipner Øst, Sleipner Vest, Gungne, and Gina Krog fields. In 2025, production from the Sleipner hub accounted for nearly 30 percent of ORLEN’s total Norwegian output.

ORLEN Upstream Norway is also preparing to bring additional resources online in the same area. Later this year, the Eirin field is scheduled to commence production, using infrastructure at Gina Krog and Sleipner. Together, these developments are expected to help counter natural production declines, extend the operational life of existing assets, and improve overall project economics.

The PL1137 license is held jointly by ORLEN Upstream Norway and Equinor, each owning a 50 percent stake, with Equinor serving as operator. ORLEN’s interest in the license was acquired in 2024 as part of its purchase of KUFPEC Norway. Any future development of the Sissel discovery will be subject to further economic, technical, and operational assessments by the license partners.

Media contact:
media@orlen.pl

SOURCE: ORLEN