Key facts
- Norway is investing over $390 million to expand the Troll gas field, aiming for production by 2028.
- The Troll field expansion is expected to unlock approximately 11 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
- Norway is also advancing Phase 4 development of the Johan Sverdrup oil field, with production expected by 2029.
- New discoveries for Johan Sverdrup Phase 4 are estimated to add about 50 million barrels of oil equivalent.
- The Troll field supplies about 10% of Europe's natural gas, while Johan Sverdrup accounts for a third of Norway's oil output.
Norway is significantly bolstering its energy supply to Europe through substantial investments in key offshore fields. Equinor and its partners are injecting over NOK 4 billion ($390 million) into the Troll field, Europe's primary natural gas source, to expand its production capacity. This initiative, known as TWIN, aims to unlock an additional 11 billion cubic meters of natural gas, equivalent to about 69 million barrels of oil equivalent, with production expected to commence as early as 2028.
The Troll field is strategically vital, holding approximately 40% of Norway's remaining gas reserves and currently supplying around 10% of Europe's total annual natural gas demand. The TWIN project, part of the broader Troll Phase 3, is designed to extend the field's productive life and is projected to cover an additional 2% to 3% of Europe's gas needs.
Concurrently, Norway is moving forward with Phase 4 development of the Johan Sverdrup oil field, a critical contributor to Europe's crude oil supply. This phase is expected to add around 50 million barrels of oil equivalent to the field's resources, with production slated to begin in 2029. Johan Sverdrup currently produces approximately 755,000 barrels per day, representing about one-third of Norway's total oil output.
These developments underscore Norway's commitment to being a reliable energy partner for Europe, especially as the continent seeks to secure stable supplies following disruptions to Russian energy flows. The investments leverage existing infrastructure to reduce costs and accelerate production, highlighting a strategic approach to maximizing output from mature offshore assets.