| Written by Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter
Historical Context
Initial surveys by geologists in the North Sea were promising, and oil exploration started as early as the early 1960s. The first major discovery was the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands in 1959. This discovery increased the interest in exploring the adjacent offshore areas. In 1965, Phillips Petroleum made the first commercial oil field discovery, the Ekofisk field, in Norwegian waters. Thus began the 'oil boom' in the North Sea, with large international oil companies making investments there.
During the 1970s and 1980s, a large number of major oil fields were discovered and brought into production. Some of the notable fields are Brent, Forties, and Ninian in the UK sector and Statfjord and Oseberg in the Norwegian sector. If the fields identified in this sea were to be developed, major technological advances could have overcome weather conditions and the depth of water.
Ekofisk
The Ekofisk field is one of the oldest and highest-ever-producing fields in the North Sea. Operated by ConocoPhillips, It has played a vital role since the start of oil production in Norway. It is located about 320 km southwest of Stavanger in the Norwegian sector. From 1965 to 1972, the North Sea was the first commercial discovery, which started a liberal outflow of exploration and development efforts.
Ekofisk, a development that has been around for several decades, is a network of platforms and subsea installations representing technological growth and expansion achieved. It is an oil and gas producing field, the bulk of which is exported through the Norpipe system to refineries and markets in Europe. The economic impact in Norway has been immense, giving back billions of dollars in revenues while establishing the country as one of the largest oil producers.
Forties Field
The other giant is Forties, discovered in 1970. It lies about 180 km east of Aberdeen in the UK sector and now falls under the operation of the Apache Corporation, previously operated by BP. This was one of the first large fields in the North Sea and has taken in billions of barrels over its lifetime.
Development of the Forties field included platforms and a more complex pipeline system named the Forties Pipeline system, hauling crude oil from the field through to Cruden Bay in the Scottish Coast, and then on to the Kinneil processing plant. The field of the Forties has indeed contributed to the energy security of the UK and its economic development. The country has been kept fully supplied, and the volumes have been reliable enough to support national demand and exports.
Brent Field
Discovered in 1971, the Brent field has been one of the major oil fields in the United Kingdom. This field has been situated in the northern region of the North Sea, located about 186 kilometres northeast of the Shetland Islands. Operated and owned by Shell, the Brent field involves numerous production installations and has been the major contributor to the quantity of oil produced in the United Kingdom.
Although it uses the name to describe the field, it is also used for the Brent crude oil blend; it serves a major purpose as the marker for world oil price assessments. Billions of barrels of oil have been produced by this field, which goes a long way in boosting the United Kingdom's economy. However, decommissioning processes are underway now that it has matured and is declining in production. Brent leaves a mark in the North Sea oil industry by setting standards in offshore production and operational excellence.
Oseberg Field
Thor Oseberg is another oil field discovered in 1981, which goes without mention and forms a fundamental asset in Norway. The Oseberg field was located 140 km in northwest of Bergen, operated by Equinor. Oseberg is known for its state-of-the-art offshore engineering and large reserves of oil and natural gas.
The field was one of the most multi-platform developed with an enormous subsea scope for optimum hydrocarbon recovery and production. The Oseberg Transport System consists of the pipe-lines running to the Sture terminal which is quite critical to the field's delivery. Oseberg's production has contributed a great deal to the Norwegian oil chronicle. This production also stood at the pivot point of the country's economic growth.
Troll Field
Primarily known for its enormous gas reserves, the Troll field also contains valuable quantities of oil. Also operated by Equinor, the field was discovered in 1979 and is located approximately 65 kilometres west of Bergen. It is one of the largest gas fields discovered in the North Sea and is a crucial part of Norway's energy supply.
It was developed using a different combination of surface platforms and subsea installations that help utilize the field's complex reservoir structure. The Troll Oil Pipeline safely and effectively transfers the oil extracted from the field to the Mongstad terminal without any spillage and spreads it throughout the onshore facilities. Gas production from this field is, in return, useful as the lines are connected through pipelines to the Norwegian gas pipeline network to feed its needs to the local industries, and even some parts of its requirements are served to the European market.
The Johan Sverdrup Field
Johan Sverdrup is one of the most significant recent oil discoveries in the North Sea. It is located some 140km to the west of Stavanger in the Norwegian sector. The discovery of Johan Sverdrup occurred in 2010. Equinor and partners, like Aker BP, operate the same development, and oil production is expected to continue for 50 years; the peak production figure is 660,000 barrels per day.
The development involves state-of-the-art technology, including complex well solutions and an extensive subsea facility. New pipeline systems link the field to the Mongstad terminal to ensure efficient output transport from Johan Sverdrup. Its production is estimated to contribute much to Norwegian oil revenues and, hence, to energy security; these will add weight to the idea that there is still considerable potential in the North Sea for new finds.
Eldar Sætre, Equinor president and CEO of Equinor, said: “Johan Sverdrup coming on stream is a momentous occasion for Equinor, our partners and suppliers. At peak, this field will account for around one-third of all oil production in Norway and deliver valuable barrels with record-low emissions. Johan Sverdrup is expected to generate income from production of more than NOK 1400 billion of which more than NOK 900 billion to the Norwegian state and society.”
Statfjord Field
The Statfjord field was discovered in 1974 and straddles the boundary between the Norwegian and UK sectors of the North Sea. It has been one of the largest and most productive fields operated in this country. Production at Statfjord began in 1979.
Development within the Statfjord license area involves a proliferation of installations and a widespread system of pipelines. This field has produced over five billion barrels of oil equivalent from its inception, qualifying it as one of the most prolific fields in the North Sea. Pipelines in this Statfjord system convey oil to the Mongstad terminal and gas to the Kårstø processing plant. It is one of the oldest and most prolific fields in the North Sea.
The North Sea Oil Pipelines Map
These pipelines are the lifeblood of the North Sea's oil industry, ensuring that the hydrocarbons extracted find their way to refineries, processing plants, and eventually the market. This pipeline network corresponds to high engineering and international cooperation, allowing efficient and safe oil and gas transportation over long distances. And there are plenty of “dots” and “lines” on the North Sea oil pipelines map.
Forties Pipeline System
The Forties Pipeline System was discovered in 1970, found to be one of the largest, and geographically covered a wider field than any other pipeline in the North Sea. This was developed in line with the Forties field. The system runs some 169 km to the Cruden Bay terminal located on the east coast of Scotland. Later, this continues onshore through a pipeline to the Kinneil processing plant, where the oil is further refined and prepared for distribution.
This pipeline is very important for the management and operation associated with the Forties field and the other fields in the UK sector in the North Sea. It acts as the main artery to deliver oil, ensuring that the supply of assays to the UK refineries remains constant. To increase production and maintain the integrity of transportation operations, the Forties Pipeline System has undergone a series of modifications and additions over the years. It is strategically important for the UK's energy infrastructure, serving as a vital and reliable means for oil transportation from offshore platforms to onshore facilities.
Brent System
Another crucial part of the overall pipeline infrastructure in the North Sea, the Brent system, was developed to convey oil from the Brent field to the Shetland Sullom Voe Terminal. Several interlinked pipelines are serving more than one field in the region, making the pipeline system very critical infrastructure.
The Brent system ships a large amount of the oil coming out of the northern North Sea. These are all processed and stored in the Sullom Voe Terminal before they are shipped to different refineries in the United Kingdom and beyond. The terminal is indeed one of the largest in Europe, having the capability to handle large volumes of oil for smooth operation. This system has been a keystone in the development and sustained production of the Brent field and other fields in their vicinity, adding strength to the position of the North Sea.
Langeled Pipeline
Langeled is one of the world's longest subsea pipelines, extending about 1,200 km from Nyhamna, Norway, to Easington, located on the east coast of England. It is fundamentally a gas pipeline carrying gas from the Ormen Lange field, sited in the Norwegian Sea, into the United Kingdom. The pipeline is managed by Gassco and Equinor.
Langeled is the lifeline for gas supply from the North Sea, underpinning the UK economy, which is heavily dependent on the inflow for its energy demand. This pipeline is one of the major assets in the North Sea energy environment since it clearly proves that the British and Norwegian European energy markets are essentially linked.
Norpipe
Norpipe is a critical infrastructure comprising the two systems—oil and gas. The oil pipeline runs from the Norwegian sector from Ekofisk field to the United Kingdom. The pipeline runs to Teesside, and the pipeline is 354 kilometres long. The gas pipeline carries gas from Ekofisk, pulsing through the German section to Emden. These pipelines are the critical links from the Norwegian field to the European market, which allows oil and gas exports.
The Norpipe oil pipeline, in operation by ConocoPhillips, remains one of the first major pipelines ever to be built in the North Sea. It's been in place since 1975 and, over its life, has transported billions of barrels of oil. The gas pipeline, equally operated by Gassco, is equally crucial as it provides Germany, one of the largest energy markets in Europe, with a secure flow of natural gas. The Norpipe operation is an example of the great cooperation between Norway and the United Kingdom in the management and use of resources.
Learn more about the current state of the North Sea Oil Platform
FAQ
How big is the North Sea oil pipeline network?
The oil pipeline network in the North Sea is extensive and runs through the seabed in many ramifications, linking several oil and gas fields offshore to onshore facilities in the UK, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and many other surrounding countries.
This network's infrastructure includes offshore platforms, subsea installations, and onshore terminals for processing and storage. Advanced technologies and stringent environmental standards ensure safe and efficient operations. The North Sea pipeline network is crucial for Europe's energy security, supporting economic stability and development by ensuring a steady supply of hydrocarbons to global markets.
See also: EHS Risk Management - Calculating Offshore Risks
Takeaway
The North Sea oil pipeline map represents a remarkable achievement in the field of offshore oil and gas production. From the early days of exploration to the current era of advanced technology and environmental stewardship, the region has been at the forefront of the industry. The pipelines, stretching across hundreds of kilometres beneath the sea, are the lifelines that connect the offshore fields to the global energy market.
As the industry moves forward, it faces a complex landscape of economic pressures, environmental responsibilities, and technological advancements. The future of North Sea oil will likely involve a mix of enhanced recovery from existing fields, new discoveries, and innovative solutions to balance production with environmental protection. Through continued cooperation, regulation, and innovation, the North Sea will remain a vital part of the world's energy infrastructure for years to come.
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Sources:
(1) https://www.offshore-mag.com/regional-reports/north-sea-europe/article/55125806/north-sea-johan-sverdrup-field-set-for-further-expansion
(2) https://www.equinor.com/news/20240314-drilling-contracts
Author
Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter, Marketing Manager
Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter is an experienced marketing and project management professional. He spent most of his career on projects with a strong focus on digital marketing and event management. He is a very active voice representing offshore and mining industries through social media channels. Michal writes mainly about offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, mining and tunnelling. Compiling and sharing the knowledge within industries is one of his goals.
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