Equinor ASA and ORLEN SA have introduced a pure gasoline discovery on Norway’s facet of the North Sea, with plans to attach it to the Baltic Pipe to produce Poland.
The Sissel discovery in manufacturing license (PL) 1137 is estimated to carry 6.3-28.3 million oil-equivalent barrels, primarily gasoline with condensate admixture, Poland’s majority state-owned ORLEN mentioned in an announcement on its web site. Sissel, or effectively 15/8-3 S, is the primary exploration effectively drilled in PL1137, awarded 2022, in response to a separate press launch by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.
“The Sissel discovery, from which we count on to acquire roughly one billion cubic meters [35.31 billion cubic feet] of gasoline, strengthens our asset portfolio in Norway and represents one other step towards reaching the ORLEN Group’s strategic aims”, mentioned ORLEN president Ireneusz Fafara. “Norwegian gasoline performs an important function in making certain secure provides for our clients. This was clearly demonstrated earlier this yr, after we recorded document‑excessive demand from the power sector, companies and households – reaching as a lot as 100 million cubic meters in a single day.
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“In response, we elevated gasoline imports, together with through the Baltic Pipe, which transports gasoline from the Norwegian continental shelf to Poland.
“As an organization basic to Poland’s power safety, we stay firmly dedicated to additional growing cooperation with our Norwegian companions based mostly on our personal manufacturing on the Shelf”.
The companions are contemplating tying again Sissel to the Utgard area, itself a tieback to the Sleipner complicated.
PL1137, within the central a part of the North Sea, sits 250 kilometers (155.34 miles) from Stavanger metropolis in southwestern Norway, in response to ORLEN. Norway’s majority state-owned Equinor is operator with a 50 p.c stake, the opposite half held by ORLEN.
The invention, with a complete depth of 4,359 meters (14,301.18 toes), is 5 kilometers north of Utgard, ORLEN famous. Utgard, operated by Equinor with ORLEN as its essential companion, began producing 2019.
“Later this yr, ORLEN Upstream Norway plans to launch Eirin, one other area on this space, which will probably be developed utilizing Gina Krog and Sleipner infrastructure”, ORLEN added, noting Sleipner accounted for almost 30 p.c of its Norwegian manufacturing final yr.
ORLEN board member Wieslaw Prugar mentioned, “The Sissel discovery confirms effectiveness of our exploration technique, which focuses on sources situated near present installations”.
“Sissel may be developed as a tieback to this infrastructure, enabling a speedy startup and considerably lowering funding prices”, Prugar added. “This venture can even assist offset pure manufacturing declines at Utgard, extending the lifetime of its infrastructure.
“By leveraging these synergies, we maximize financial and operational effectivity in our upstream operations, whereas making certain secure gasoline provides for our clients in Poland and Central Europe”.
‘Recreation Changer’ Undeveloped Discovery
Earlier this yr ORLEN gained six exploration and manufacturing licenses beneath the 2025 spherical of Norway’s Awards in Pre-Outlined Areas, considered one of them already confirmed and may very well be a “sport changer”, ORLEN mentioned. The Victoria discovery of 2000 is estimated to include as much as 140 billion cubic meters of tight gasoline sources, it mentioned in a web-based assertion January 13, 2026.
“The previous shareholders of the Victoria discovery relinquished the license after drilling an appraisal effectively in 2009, citing difficult reservoir properties in a high-pressure/high-temperature atmosphere that resulted in low manufacturing price estimates from the standard completion expertise obtainable on the time. At this time, ORLEN, who’s establishing a brand new three way partnership alongside Aker BP, Equinor and Harbour Vitality, believes that reaching financial manufacturing charges from Victoria could now be doable”, the assertion mentioned.
“Upstream applied sciences have superior lately such that there’s an elevated confidence in effectively stimulation inside offshore HPHT [high-pressure/high-temperature] environments”, mentioned Prugar. “Victoria is likely one of the largest undeveloped gasoline discoveries on the Norwegian shelf.
“If the revitalized strategy to Victoria of our three way partnership is profitable, this may allow entry to different unconventional gasoline discoveries presently stranded on the Norwegian continental shelf, whose mixed in-place sources are estimated at over 800 billion cubic meters of gasoline. Our involvement within the Victoria venture will give us a powerful place to pursue comparable alternatives sooner or later”.
ORLEN Upstream Norway was supplied 20 p.c within the license, to be operated by Norwegian participant Aker BP ASA, in response to the assertion.
To contact the writer, e mail jov.onsat@rigzone.com
