Norway's Martin Linge field finally comes on stream
Norway's Equinor has started production at the long-delayed and over-budget Martin Linge oil and gas field, the company announced on June 30.
Linge was first cleared for development in 2012 and since then costs have doubled to almost 63bn kroner ($7.3bn). Its former operator Total, now TotalEnergies, had aimed to launch the field in 2016. Delays have been caused by a range of factors, from the field's difficult geology, a fatal crane crash at the Korean shipyard tasked with building its rig, well setbacks and the coronavirus pandemic.
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Equinor, which took control of Linge in 2018, acknowledged that the project had faced "many challenges."
"It has been a very demanding job, and more challenging than expected, but we have reached the finish line together with our suppliers and our partner Petoro," Equinor's vice president for projects, drilling and procurement, Arne Sigve Nylund, commented. "Martin Linge will now produce and create jobs and value for society for many years ahead."
Linge is expected to flow at a plateau rate of 115,000 barrels of oil equivalent/day, recovering around 260mn boe over the course of its development. Equinor has a 70% stake in the project, while Petoro has 30%.