ORLEN with another "E-prospect" deposit in the Norwegian Sea

New hydrocarbon resources on the Norwegian Continental Shelf were discovered by ORLEN Upstream Norway, operating in partnership with the concessionaires of the Skarv area. The estimated size of the E-spect deposit ranges from 3 to 7 million barrels of oil. Additionally, during drilling, smaller deposits with resources of 2 million barrels were found.

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The discovery of the E-spect deposit strengthens the position of ORLEN in the Norwegian Sea

The E-spect deposit is located within the PL212 concession, directly adjacent to the Skarv operating area, which acts as one of the main operational centres of the ORLEN Group on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Location – less than 8 kilometres from the existing mining infrastructure – creates favourable technical conditions for its future management using existing transmission and process installations.

We have a well-developed mining infrastructure in this area, which allows to quickly integrate new deposits into production. This translates not only into higher investment efficiency, but also reduces management-related emissions.
Wiesław Prugar, Member of the Management Board of ORLEN S.A. for Upstream

Skarv area as the foundation of Norwegian operations

In addition to the E-prospect deposit, the ORLEN production hub in the Norwegian Sea also includes the exploited deposits of Ærfugl Nord and Gråsel, as well as units in the development phase: Alve Nord, Idun Nord and Ørn. New deposits join a group of deposits awaiting an investment decision. Primary resources The entire Skarv area exceeds 700 million barrels of oil equivalent.

ORLEN with new oil deposit E-prospect in the Norwegian Sea / Shipyard Portal — Photo by Orlen Group

Production using FPSO Skarv

The operation of deposits in the Skarv area is carried out using a floating production and storage and handling unit (FPSO) Skarv. Oil and natural gas are transported from the offshore pipeline system directly aboard the unit. In the central part of the FPSO hull is a rotating mooring tower (turret) to which transmission lines and anchor ropes are attached. This solution allows the unit to freely rotate around its own axis, adjusting the hull orientation to wind and wave direction, which ensures continuity of production operations even in difficult weather conditions.

Strategic importance for Poland

ORLEN Upstream Norway, wholly owned by ORLEN S.A., has been operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf since 2007. It currently operates 20 deposits and another 8 are in the development phase. In 2023 the company reached The extraction of more than 40 million barrels of oil equivalent, including more than 4.5 billion m3 of natural gas, which is delivered to Poland via the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline – thus supporting the energy transformation of the domestic energy sector.