Start of Production for Snorre

Why write about the Snorre field on Industrial Heritage Gullfaks? Because the oil from the Snorre field is transported by pipeline to the Gullfaks field, more specifically to Gullfaks A. There, the oil is stored and later loaded onto tankers.

The Snorre field

The Snorre field lies in water depths of 300 to 350 metres. While oil is produced, most of the gas is reinjected into the reservoir. About three quarters of the field’s oil has now (2026) been produced.[REMOVE]Fotnote: «Vigdis» on Norwegian Petroleum. https://www.norskpetroleum.no/en/facts/field/snorre/ Downloaded 18 December 20025.

In 2001, Snorre A was joined by Snorre B, which is located 7 km north of Snorre A. Snorre B sends its oil to the Statfjord field and its gas to Snorre A.

In addition to the two platforms that are clearly visible above the sea surface, subsea wells are also used during production.

The Snorre field was originally operated by Saga. Today, Equinor, formerly Statoil, is the operator.

Win-win

Snorre oil was one of the first external products that the platforms on the Gullfaks field have received and continue to receive. Later, Gullfaks B and Gullfaks C have received oil and gas from several surrounding fields and satellites, both from platforms and from subsea production.

Unlike Snorre oil, many of these other products have also been processed on board Gullfaks A or C. This applies in particular to subsea-produced fluids.

In this way, the two large concrete platforms on the Gullfaks field function as hubs for the processing, storage and onward transport of oil and gas. These capabilities make it possible to develop smaller accumulations in the area without the need to build large platforms.

Without these external contributions, employees would have had to prepare for the shutdown of the Gullfaks platforms shortly after the turn of the millennium.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Bryne, Berit. «Møter framtiden under vann» i Statoil magasin (trykt utg.). 1999 Vol. 21 Nr. 2, s. 23. In this way, the Gullfaks field and the surrounding fields have benefited mutually from one another.

Read more about fields that deliver to Gullfaks in the article of the same name.