Equinor Starts Gas Production From Askeladd Vest Field to Sustain Norway's Hammerfest LNG

Equinor ASA has commenced production from the Askeladd Vest subsea field in the Barents Sea, bolstering gas supply to the Hammerfest LNG plant on Melkøya Island, Norway. The Askeladd Vest project, involving two wells tied back to the Askeladd field that started in 2022, delivers about 15 billion cubic meters of gas and is crucial for maintaining full production at Hammerfest LNG until the Snøhvit Future project's onshore compression begins in 2028. Hammerfest LNG, the only LNG facility in Northern Europe, processes 6.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually, accounting for roughly 5% of Norway's gas exports and 2% of the EU's gas needs. The Snøhvit Future project, approved in 2023 and costing NOK 13.2 billion, aims to introduce onshore compression and electrification to reduce emissions, with completion expected by 2028. Equinor operates the Snøhvit license with a 36.79% stake, alongside partners including Petoro, TotalEnergies EP Norge, Neptune Energy Norge, and Wintershall Dea Norge. The Askeladd Vest development was completed on time with strong safety records and significant contributions to the Norwegian supplier industry, highlighting its economic and strategic importance for European LNG supply.