ORLEN Upstream Norway boosts production with innovative subsea compression technology at Ormen Lange field

ORLEN Upstream Norway boosts production with innovative subsea compression technology at Ormen Lange field

(IN BRIEF) ORLEN Upstream Norway and its partners have completed the third development phase of the Ormen Lange field in the Norwegian Sea, introducing subsea gas compressors to boost production and extend the field’s life. This innovation is expected to raise ORLEN’s annual gas share from the field to 1.5 billion cubic meters, with an additional 0.5 billion cubic meters per year during peak production. The project increases the field’s recovery rate from 75% to 85%, adding 30–50 billion cubic meters overall, including 4–7 billion cubic meters for ORLEN. Powered primarily by renewable energy and controlled remotely from 120 km away, the subsea compressors mark a technological milestone. The development strengthens ORLEN’s position in Norway and supports its strategy to raise gas production by 50% by 2030 in line with Poland’s rising energy demand.

(PRESS RELEASE) PŁOCK, 27-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — ORLEN Upstream Norway, together with its partners, has successfully finalized the third stage of development of the Ormen Lange field in the Norwegian Sea, one of the largest and most advanced gas projects on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The new phase introduces innovative subsea compression technology designed to significantly increase production rates and extend the life of the field, reinforcing ORLEN’s position as a key gas producer in Norway.

Ormen Lange, discovered in 1997, holds an estimated 330 billion cubic meters of gas and is Norway’s second-largest gas field. Located approximately 120 km offshore at water depths between 850–1,000 meters, its reservoir lies some 3,000 meters beneath the seabed. ORLEN Upstream Norway owns a 14% stake in the project, alongside Petoro (36.5%), Equinor Energy (25.4%), Norske Shell (17.8%, operator), and Vår Energi (6.3%).

The third development phase centered on the installation of four subsea gas compressors to counteract pressure declines in the reservoir. Unlike conventional platform-mounted compressors, these units were installed directly on the seabed, a pioneering approach that improves efficiency, reduces costs, and minimizes safety risks associated with offshore platform operations. The compressors are powered almost entirely by renewable energy via a connection to the onshore grid and are remotely controlled from the Nyhamna gas terminal, 120 km away—a technical challenge unprecedented at such a long distance.

Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board of ORLEN, highlighted the project’s importance: “Ormen Lange is a cornerstone of our upstream portfolio and one of the most technically advanced projects worldwide. With the completion of this phase, our annual production from the field will rise to 1.5 billion cubic meters, further strengthening ORLEN’s role in Norway. We are proud that this project was delivered on time, within budget, and with careful attention to minimizing carbon emissions.”

Wiesław Prugar, ORLEN Management Board Member for Upstream, added: “The subsea compressors will increase peak daily production by up to 50%, while boosting the field’s recovery rate from 75% to 85%, making Ormen Lange one of the most efficiently developed gas fields globally.”

As a result of this upgrade, ORLEN’s share of gas output from Ormen Lange is expected to rise by approximately 0.5 billion cubic meters annually during peak production. Over the field’s lifetime, ORLEN’s total recovery is set to increase by 4–7 billion cubic meters, while the consortium’s overall additional recovery will reach 30–50 billion cubic meters.

The installation followed extensive preparation, including computer simulations and large-scale trials using a model the size of a football pitch to test and refine the control systems.

ORLEN Upstream Norway currently holds interests in 20 producing fields and seven under development. In 2024, it produced 40.5 million barrels of oil equivalent, including 4.6 billion cubic meters of gas transported to Poland via the Baltic Pipe pipeline. Looking ahead, ORLEN plans to expand its own gas production by around 50% to 12 billion cubic meters per year by 2030, half of which will come from Norwegian operations. This expansion aligns with Poland’s projected gas demand growth to 27 billion cubic meters by the early 2030s, driven primarily by the shift toward gas-fired power generation as part of the country’s energy transition.

Media Contact:

email: media@orlen.pl

SOURCE: ORLEN