Aker BP launches production at Norwegian Sea’s 120-MMboe Skarv Satellites

Aker BP has successfully launched production from the Alve Nord, Idun Nord, and Ørn fields in the Norwegian Sea, unlocking approximately 120 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) in recoverable resources a full year ahead of schedule.

Developed under the unified Skarv Satellite Project, the three fields operate as distinct subsea developments. Each project features a subsea template and two wells tied back to the Skarv FPSO, leveraging existing infrastructure to prolong the operational lifespan of the broader Skarv production hub.

“The start-up of the Skarv Satellites is an important milestone for Aker BP,” stated CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik. “Through a single integrated project, we have brought three new fields on stream, one year ahead of the original schedule.”

Output from these satellite fields is projected to drive a major portion of Aker BP’s production in the Skarv area in the near term, while offering enhanced flexibility for future resource tie-ins.

The developments were delivered via Aker BP’s alliance framework alongside OneSubsea, Subsea7, Aker Solutions, and Halliburton, with Saipem supporting drilling operations. Norwegian suppliers accounted for roughly 60% of the project’s deliveries.

According to Hersvik, this launch marks the completion of Aker BP’s entire portfolio of subsea tieback projects approved in 2022.

By utilizing the existing Skarv infrastructure, the three developments maintain a low carbon footprint, with an estimated CO₂ intensity of about 4.5 kg per boe.

Aker BP serves as the operator for all three fields, holding ownership stakes between 23.8% and 58.1%. License partners include Equinor, Harbour Energy, ORLEN Upstream Norway, and JAPEX Norge.