Equinor has started production from the Askeladd Vest subsea field in the Barents Sea. The field contributes to continued high and long-term production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the processing plant at Melkøya. Askeladd Vest consists of two wells in a new well template tied back to the Askeladd field, which came on stream in 2022.
“Askeladd Vest is an important step in the development of the Snøhvit field and will help maintain full production at Hammerfest LNG until onshore compression starts as part of the Snøhvit Future project in 2028,” said Grete B. Haaland, Equinor’s senior vice president for Exploration and Production North.
Hammerfest LNG is the only plant in Northern Europe producing and exporting liquid natural gas. The plant produces 229.55 bcf (6.5 x 109 m3) of gas each year. This is the equivalent of about 5% of Norway’s total gas exports, and about 2% of the European Union’s gas needs. Custom-built LNG vessels leave Melkøya every five days, carrying LNG to European markets.
