ORLEN and partners confirm 134 million barrel discovery in Yggdrasil with record-breaking drilling campaign

ORLEN and partners confirm 134 million barrel discovery in Yggdrasil with record-breaking drilling campaign

(IN BRIEF) ORLEN Upstream Norway, with operator Aker BP and partners Equinor and Petoro, has confirmed the largest oil discovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf in 2025, with estimated recoverable volumes of 96–134 million barrels of oil equivalent. The Omega Alpha campaign set a new record for Norway with three horizontal laterals exceeding 10 km, part of 45 km of wells drilled in total. Geo-steering technology ensured 40,000 meters of reservoir exposure and high-quality data collection. ORLEN’s share of the discovery amounts to 10.5–15.0 mmboe. Combined with the earlier E-prospect find, the discovery strengthens ORLEN’s upstream portfolio and aligns with its 2035 strategy for growth and energy security.

(PRESS RELEASE) PŁOCK, 22-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — ORLEN Upstream Norway, alongside operator Aker BP and license partners Equinor and Petoro, has confirmed a major oil discovery in the Yggdrasil region of the North Sea. The find is estimated at between 96 and 134 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), making it the largest discovery announced on the Norwegian Continental Shelf this year.

The discovery was achieved as part of the Omega Alpha exploration campaign, which deployed cutting-edge drilling techniques across licenses 873, 873B and 1249. Drilling began with a vertical well to 2,250 meters, branching into several horizontal laterals. Three of these reached lengths of more than 10 kilometers, setting a new record for the longest laterals ever completed offshore Norway. In total, 45 kilometers of wells were drilled, including 40,000 meters of direct reservoir contact.

“The Omega Alpha campaign demonstrates what is possible when advanced technology is combined with strong collaboration,” said Wiesław Prugar, Member of the Management Board of ORLEN SA, Upstream. “The ultra-long laterals delivered high-quality reservoir data and volumes that may be developed together with other assets in the Yggdrasil project, where ORLEN is already a shareholder. This strengthens our long-term efficiency and supports the growth objectives set out in the ORLEN 2035 Strategy.”

The campaign made extensive use of geo-steering, a technique that continuously transmits data from sensors near the drill bit. This allowed the drilling team to adjust well paths in real time and stay within oil-rich layers of rock, ensuring optimal production potential and enhanced geological knowledge.

Based on its equity stakes—12.3% in PL873 and PL873B, and 9.84% in PL1249—ORLEN’s share of the new reserves is expected to be between 10.5 and 15.0 mmboe.

This is ORLEN’s second discovery in Norway this year, following the E-prospect near the producing Skarv field, which is estimated to contain 3–7 mmboe. Together, the finds highlight ORLEN’s growing upstream role in Norway and reinforce its strategy of securing long-term resources to ensure supply and resilience across its core markets.

Media Contact:

email: media@orlen.pl

SOURCE: ORLEN