The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has given its consent to the state-run energy company Equinor to extend the ongoing operations of the Norne floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) and associated facilities in the Norwegian sea until the end of 2036. Equinor is the operator of the Norne field, which entered production in 1997 and produces mostly oil. Other offshore fields are linked to the FPSO, including Alve, Urd, Skuld and Marulk.
The new plans for Norne will more than double the initially assumed productive life. The field was originally expected to shut down during 2014 but Equinor aims to improve oil recuperation, raising the already high recovery factor from 56.5% to 60%, to exploit the remaining resources of the Norne area, estimated at 300 mboe.
Gas exports from the field began in February 2001 and are shipped through the Åsgard Transport trunkline via Kårstø north of Stavanger and then to continental Europe.