Equinor acquires a 40% stake in the Rosebank project in the UK
Equinor has signed an agreement to acquire Chevron’s 40% operated interest in the Rosebank project, one of the largest undeveloped fields on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). Once concluded, the transaction will strengthen Equinor’s UK portfolio, which includes the Mariner development, attractive exploration opportunities and three producing offshore wind farms.
“We look forward to becoming the operator of the Rosebank project. We have a proven track record of high value field developments across the North Sea and will now be able to deploy this experience on a new project in the UK. Today’s agreement allows us to buy back into an asset in which we previously had a participating interest, demonstrating our strategy of creating value through oil price cycles. The acquisition of Rosebank complements our portfolio of oil, gas and wind assets in this country, in line with our strategy as a broad energy company. This new investment underlines Equinor’s commitment to be a reliable, secure energy partner for the UK,” says Al Cook, Equinor’s executive vice president for global strategy & business development and UK country manager.
The Rosebank field was discovered in 2004 and lies about 130 km northwest of the Shetland Islands in water depths of approximately 1,110m. The other partners in the field are Suncor Energy (40%) and Siccar Point Energy (20%).
“With Rosebank, a standalone development in the underexplored West of Shetland region, we strengthen our upstream portfolio, which also includes Mariner, one of the largest investments on the UKCS in over a decade. As we have done with other projects in our portfolio, such as Johan Castberg and Bay du Nord, we intend to leverage our experience and competence to create further value in Rosebank, in alignment with the UK Government’s priority of maximising the economic recovery of the UKCS,” says Hedda Felin, Equinor’s senior vice president for UK & Ireland offshore.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including partner and authority approval, with completion targeted as soon as possible.
The parties have agreed not to disclose the commercial terms of the agreement.
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- Equinor is the largest supplier of crude oil to the UK and the largest supplier of natural gas. Equinor’s gas supplies meet more than 25% of UK demand, enough to heat or power 8 million British homes and businesses every year.
- Equinor’s operated offshore wind farms (Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon and Hywind Scotland) together supply electricity to 650,000 UK homes. Hywind Scotland is the first floating offshore wind park in the world and is partnered with Batwind, the world’s first battery for offshore wind.
- Equinor is currently developing Mariner, one of the largest upstream investments in the UK in the last 10 years – a gross investment of more than GBP 4.5 billion.
- Equinor is one of the most active explorers in the UK. A three-well campaign will start later this year. In May, Equinor was awarded nine new licences in the 30th Offshore Licensing round, eight as operator.
- Equinor, with its partner SSE, is developing the Dogger Bank offshore wind project which has the potential to provide around 10% of the UK’s total electricity needs. Once fully developed it will be one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world.
