Development

Draugen is a field in the southern part of the Norwegian Sea. The water depth is 250 metres. Draugen 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. Stabilised oil is stored in tanks at the base of the facility. Two pipelines connect the facility to a floating loading-buoy. The production started in 1993. A PDO exemption for the subsea tie-back of the discovery 6407/9-9 (Hasselmus) was granted in 2021. The production from Hasselmus started in 2023.

Reservoir

Draugen produces oil from two formations. The main reservoir is in sandstone of Late Jurassic age in the Rogn Formation. The western part of the field also produces from sandstone of Middle Jurassic age in the Garn Formation. The reservoirs are at a depth of 1600 metres. They are relatively homogeneous and have good quality.

Recovery strategy

The main production mechanism is natural pressure support from the aquifer, with additional water injection from the south.

Transport

The oil is offloaded via a floating loading-buoy and exported by tankers. The gas is transported via the Åsgard Transport System (ÅTS) to the Kårstø terminal.

Status

The production in 2024 has been higher than anticipated, mainly due to increased production from Hasselmus and high production regularity. The field lifetime has been prolonged, and the production licence that includes the Draugen field has in 2024 been extended to 2040. Several initiatives have been launched to enable future profitable production from the Draugen field, such as power from shore, near-field exploration, increased water injection, and new infill wells.