Norway is known for its vast oil reserves and Draugen Oil Field plays a pivotal role in the country’s energy supplies. Situated in the Norwegian Sea, the oil field is operated by A/S Norske Shell, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell. It began production in 1993, and since then, it has contributed significantly to Norway’s oil and gas output.
The oil field is named after the Draugen Platform, which is the hub of operations. It is a steel cylindrical structure weighing approximately 45,000 tons and standing at 269 meters tall. The platform has around 70 kilometers of pipelines, connecting it to facilities onshore. Oil from the field is transported via these pipelines and stored in tanks near the shore before being exported.
The Draugen Oil Field’s estimated total recoverable reserves amount to 137 million barrels of oil equivalent. The platform has a production capacity of 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, and it has produced around 450 million barrels of oil equivalent since 1993. The oil produced from Draugen is of high quality and has low sulfur and heavy metal content, making it popular in many countries worldwide.
The oil field’s importance to Norway’s economy cannot be overstated. It has generated billions of dollars in revenue for the Norwegian government, which is used to fund public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. Moreover, the oil field has provided employment opportunities for thousands of Norwegians and has revitalized remote areas of the country, where the oil industry is a significant contributor to the local economies.
However, the production of oil from the Draugen Oil Field is not without its challenges. The Norwegian Sea is known for its harsh weather conditions, and the platform must withstand high waves and winds, which can make operations dangerous. Additionally, the remote location of the oil field means that supplies and personnel must be transported by helicopter, which can be costly and time-consuming.
A/S Norske Shell has implemented various measures to ensure the platform’s safety and efficiency. These include robust maintenance schedules, regular safety drills, and ongoing training for the workforce to help them manage the risks associated with working offshore. Furthermore, the company has invested in research and development to improve the platform’s productivity and reduce its environmental impact.
History of the Draugen Oil Field and Its Impact on Norway’s Economy
The Draugen oil field is located in the Norwegian Sea, with a sea depth of 250 meters. It was discovered in 1984, and the plan for development and production (PDO) was approved in 1988. The field has been developed with a concrete fixed facility and integrated topside, and has both platform and subsea wells. The oil field is operated by AS OKEA, which acquired it from A/S Norske Shell in 2018.
The history of Draugen is the story of breaking boundaries, changing a city and a region, about money and innovations, and about accidents and anniversaries. In 1970, Kvernberget was crucial for a future in oil, and in September of that year, the city of oil was established. In 1973, Atlant-Oil was established in Kristiansund, and in 1979, the northern NCS was opened, which led to the development of the Draugen oil field.
The Draugen field is one of the largest oil fields on the Norwegian continental shelf and the first one that came into production in the Norwegian Sea. The Draugen conventional oil field recovered 93.36% of its total recoverable reserves, with peak production in 2001. The peak production was approximately 204.23 thousand bpd of crude oil and condensate, 26 Mmcfd of natural gas and 12.63 thousand bpd of natural gas liquids.
The development and operation of the Draugen oil field has had a significant impact on Norway’s economy, providing significant revenue through taxes and job opportunities in the region. The field has also contributed to the development of new technologies, such as concrete platform installations and subsea wells, which have been used in other oil fields around the world.
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