In the shadow of more highly profiled offshore oil fields in the North Sea is Snorre - which has steadily grown during a decade of production and now holds the second-highest volume of remaining recoverable reserves in the Norwegian sector.
According to the original development and production plan (PDO), the Hydro-operated Snorre field - which started producing in August 1992 and lies in the north part of the Tampen area - should be dry of oil and gas in about 18 months, says Snorre field manager Astor Tjervaag. Thanks to constant upgrading of estimated recoverable reserves - due to innovative solutions and new technology - nothing could be further from the truth.
"Through hard work, active drilling and the implementation of new technology the estimates for recoverable reserves have gradually climbed. This is also true for the extension of Snorre's plateau production. A lot has happened during the past 10 years and it's satisfying to see Snorre still has about the same volume of recoverable reserves as originally estimated," he comments.
In the PDO submitted to the authorities in 1988, Snorre was estimated to contain about 122 million cubic meters (m3), or some 767 million barrels oil, says Hydro Tampen area senior vice president Arild Unneberg. To date, Snorre has produced about 100 million m3, or some 630 million barrels of oil, and 15 billion m3 gas. Snorre currently holds 132 million m3, or 830 million barrels of recoverable oil, he adds.
Only Ekofisk - with numerous deposits scattered across the south part of the North Sea - surpasses Snorre in remaining recoverable reserves.
Plateau production until 2006
The Snorre field and nearby satellite operation Vigdis produce some 270,000 barrels per day. It is expected this level can be maintained until 2006. Snorre has a complex reservoir with significant remaining resources and huge potential for the additional development of recoverable reserves, Tvervaag explains.
On January 1, 2003, operatorship of Snorre and all other presently Hydro-operated fields in the Tampen area passes to Statoil.