Martin Linge
The North Sea Martin Linge field is an oil and gas discovery made in 1978. The field is located 42 kilometres west of Oseberg, where the water depth is 115 metres. Equinor became the operator of the Martin Linge field on 19 March, 2018.
The two biggest modules for the Martin Linge platform arrived in Stavanger on board the «Black Marlin» heavy transport vessel during Easter 2018. The accommodation and flaring modules were transported to Sandnes. In July 2018 the four big modules were installed at the Martin Linge field in less than five days.
The Martin Linge field development comprises a jacket-based integrated wellhead, production and accommodation platform and a permanently anchored oil storage vessel. When the field comes on stream, the gas will be transported through a new pipeline connecting the field to the existing pipeline going to St. Fergus, Scotland. The oil will be processed on the storage vessel and transported from the field in shuttle tankers.
Power from shore
The Martin Linge platform receives shore power via the world’s longest alternating-current sea cable measuring 162 kilometres from the onshore substation at Kollsnes north of Bergen to the platform.
Shore power will reduce CO2 emissions by 200 000 tonnes per year, corresponding to emissions from 100 000 cars. The field will also be operated from land and have a limited offshore staff.
The platform was connected to shore power in December 2018.
Major hook-up job
A comprehensive hook-up and completion job is currently being done at the field. Around 650 people are at work offshore at any time. As there are three shifts, close to 2000 people in total are involved in preparing the Martin Linge platform for production.
About the reservoir
The main reservoir is structurally complex and contains gas and condensate at high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). There are three reservoirs in Middle Jurassic sandstones in the Brent Group at a depth of 3 700-4 400 metres. Oil has also been found in the Frigg Formation of Eocene age. The main reservoir is located at a depth of 1 750 metres and the reservoir quality is good.
The plan for development and operation of Martin Linge (previously called Hild) was submitted to the authorities in January 2012 and approved by the Norwegian parliament in June the same year. Martin Linge is scheduled to come on stream at the end of 2020.
Equinor is the majority shareholder of Martin Linge (70%). Petoro (30%) is the only partner.
You can read more about Martin Linge on the fact pages of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.
Operator: Equinor Energy AS
Location: 42 kilometres west of Oseberg
Estimated production start: Q1 2020
Production: Oil and gas