Norwegian Energy Giant Equinor Launches Gas Production at Halten East Project

Norwegian state-owned energy giant Equinor has kicked off production from the first chapter of a gas and condensate project off the coast of Norway, which is envisioned to encompass multiple discoveries developed in two phases. This development unlocks additional gas supplies for the European energy market.

Project Overview

Two years after securing approval from Norwegian authorities, Equinor (69.5%, operator) began gas production at the Halten East project, a tie-in development in the Kristin-Åsgard area in the Norwegian Sea, where Vår Energi (24.6%) and Petoro (5.9%) are the firm’s partners. This development encapsulates six gas discoveries and flexibility for three prospects, utilizing existing infrastructure and processing capacity at Åsgard B.

Project Milestones

Geir Tungesvik, Equinor’s Executive Vice President for Projects, Drilling, and Procurement, commented: “We are starting up Halten East at a time where piped gas from Norway is in high demand and important for energy security. In a challenging cost and inflation environment, the project has been delivered both on time and within our cost estimate.”

According to the operator, the estimated payback time for the project is one year. The company secured the green light in 2023 for modification work in connection with the development of Halten East and Smørbukk North, which came on stream in December 2025, at Åsgard B.

Infrastructure and Expansion

Located in the central part of the Norwegian Sea, in a water depth of 240-300 meters, the Åsgard field was discovered in 1981 and the development concept includes the Åsgard A production vessel, the Åsgard B semi-submersible platform, and the Åsgard C storage vessel. The field has been producing oil since May 1999 and gas since October 2000.

Future Prospects

With gas from the first well, Gamma, on stream and additional wells slated to be brought online, Equinor highlights that the Halten East project’s first phase consists of six wells from five discoveries, while the second phase is also in the pipeline and due to come online in 2029 to include a sidetrack and an additional three possible wells on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Environmental Impact and Economic Benefits

The Norwegian giant confirms that around 90% of the project’s investments have gone to suppliers in Norway, with the development phase of Halten East estimated to provide around 3,000 person-years of employment per year from 2022 to 2029. The total investment for the project is around NOK 9 billion (about $850.46 million) for both phases.

Conclusion

After acquiring Sval Energi’s 11.8% share in the Halten East unit in November 2024, Equinor increased its ownership to 69.5%. The six discoveries within Halten East encompass Natalia, Sigrid, Nona, Flyndretind, Gamma, and Harepus with gas to be processed via Åsgard B thanks to five subsea templates. Vår Energi sees Halten East as an important contributor to its target of producing over 400 kboepd in the fourth quarter of 2025.