
‘New-era’ in North Sea
“Balder X…including the sanctioned Balder Phase V project, marks the start of a new era in the North Sea, extending the lifetime of the first production license PL001 on the Norwegian Continental Shelf to 2045 and beyond,” Walker continued.
With the Jotun FPSO installed as an area host, Vår Energi is taking steps to add new production through infill drilling, exploration, and tie-back developments with short time to market, the company said.
“We have continued to grow our resource base through successful exploration in the area and are stepping up the pace, moving several tie-back projects forward at speed to capitalize on the Jotun FPSO. This will sustain production longer term and includes Balder Phase V, planned to come on stream later this year, and Balder Phase VI expected to be sanctioned in 2025, together adding a further 45-50 MMboe gross,” said Torger Rød, chief operating officer (OGJ Online, Oct. 25, 2024).
Several early phase projects in in the Greater Balder are progressing toward a final investment decision, including Ringhorne North, Balder future phases, and the King discovery, targeting gross contingent resources of more than 70 MMboe, the company said.
Vår Energi is operator (90%) of Balder field. Kistos Energy Norway AS holds the remaining 10%.