ORLEN Upstream Norway Makes Significant Discovery in Skarv Area, Estimated at 3-7 Million Barrels of Oil

ORLEN Upstream Norway Makes Significant Discovery in Skarv Area, Estimated at 3-7 Million Barrels of Oil

(IN BRIEF) ORLEN Upstream Norway, together with its license partners, has made a new oil discovery in the Skarv area of the Norwegian Sea, estimated at 3-7 million barrels. Another discovery was made during drilling, with resources estimated at 1-2 million barrels. The E-prospect is strategically located near existing production infrastructure, allowing for efficient development and reduced emissions. The Skarv area’s total recoverable resources exceed 700 million barrels of oil equivalent.

(PRESS RELEASE) PŁOCK, 20-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — ORLEN Upstream Norway, a subsidiary of ORLEN SA, in collaboration with its license partners, has made a significant discovery in the Skarv area of the Norwegian Sea. The newly identified E-prospect reservoir is estimated to contain between 3 to 7 million barrels of oil. Additionally, another discovery was made during drilling, estimated to hold between 1 and 2 million barrels of oil.

Located in one of ORLEN Group’s main production hubs on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the E-prospect discovery is positioned less than 8 kilometers from existing production infrastructure. This proximity allows for efficient tie-back connections to the Skarv area’s extensive production facilities, streamlining development and reducing the emissions typically associated with the startup of new fields. This strategic use of existing infrastructure enhances capital expenditure effectiveness and accelerates the development timeline.

“The E-prospect discovery demonstrates the significant value and potential within the Skarv area,” said Wiesław Prugar, Member of ORLEN SA Management Board, Upstream. “By leveraging our established production infrastructure, we can quickly bring new discoveries into development, reducing both time and environmental impact while optimizing costs. Our expertise and strong collaboration with our license partners position us to fully realize the potential of the Skarv area.”

The E-prospect discovery lies within the PL2012 license, part of the Skarv Unit. The Skarv area already includes multiple producing fields, including Ærfugl Nord and Gråsel, as well as the developing Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Ørn fields. With recoverable resources in the Skarv area exceeding 700 million barrels of oil equivalent, this latest discovery adds significant value to ORLEN’s portfolio in the region.

The Skarv Unit shareholders include Aker BP (operator, 23.8%), Equinor Energy (36.2%), Harbour Energy Norge (28.1%), and ORLEN Upstream Norway (11.9%).

Operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf since 2007, ORLEN Upstream Norway currently oversees 20 producing fields and eight more in development. In the past year, the company produced over 40 million barrels of oil equivalent, including more than 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. The gas produced by ORLEN Upstream Norway is exported to Poland through the Baltic Pipe pipeline, contributing to Poland’s energy transition.

SKARV FPSO

Production from the Skarv area is carried out by the Skarv FPSO. Oil and gas from the surrounding fields are transported with undersea pipelines and delivered to the Skarv FPSO. The vessel is equipped with a rotating turret in the middle of the hull to which the pipelines and mooring lines are attached. The turret allows the FPSO to rotate depending on the direction of the wind and waves.

Media Contact:

media@orlen.pl

SOURCE: ORLEN