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Equinor strengthens its position in the northern North Sea

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The Troll A platform in the North Sea.
The Troll A platform in the North Sea.
(Photo: Harald Pettersen / Equinor)

Equinor has signed an agreement to acquire equity interest in five discoveries in the Troll, Fram and Kvitebjørn area in the North Sea on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) from Wellesley Petroleum AS. Since 2019, Equinor has made seven discoveries in this area.

Updated 31 May 2023:

The transaction closed 31 May 2023 after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.

The transaction adds to Equinor’s equity share in the following discoveries: An additional 18.8% in Grosbeak, 45% in Toppand, 40% in Atlantis and 20% in Røver Nord and Røver Sør.

Kjetil Hove (left) and Chris Elliott
Kjetil Hove (left), executive vice president for Exploration and Production Norway, and Chris Elliott, CEO of Wellesley.
(Photo: Wellesley)

"With this transaction, we strengthen our position in one of our core areas on the Norwegian continental shelf. These discoveries can be put into production with low costs and low CO2 emissions by being connected to the suitable infrastructure in the area. Discoveries close to infrastructure are important for our ambition to maintain production at current levels from the NCS beyond 2030,” says Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for Exploration and Production Norway.

Although a mature part of the Norwegian continental shelf, the Troll and Fram area has emerged as an exploration hotspot over the last years, and Equinor has made a number of discoveries in this area, including Swisher, Toppand and Røver Nord and Sør.

Equinor has started field developments projects to coordinate the development of these discoveries in collaboration with partners.

Equinor’s ownership before and after transaction

  • Atlantis – license PL878/878B/878C
    Before: 40% – After: 80%
  • Grosbeak – license PL248I
    Before: 40% – After: 55%
  • Grosbeak – license PL925
    Before: 40% – After: 85%
  • Røver Nord/Sør – license PL923/PL923B
    Before: 40% – After: 60%
  • Toppand – license PL630/PL630CS
    Before: 50% – After: 95%
Map of the Troll and Fram area

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