The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted permission to Equinor and its partners to expand the Snorre field in the North Sea, which consists of six subsea templates, according to a press release.

The permission to expand will see the drilling of 24 new wells, 13 production wells, and 11 water-alternating gas (WAG) injectors.

Recoverable reserves are calculated at approximately 195 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmbbloe) in the amended plan for development and operation. This corresponds to about twice the oil reserves in the Gina Krog field in the North Sea.

Arvid Østhus, the NPD’s assistant director development and operations, said, “The expansion of Snorre is a result of tireless work by both the companies and the authorities; work which has been ongoing for close to 15 years.”

The Snorre field was proven in 1979 and currently produces from the Snorre A, Snorre B, and Snorre UPA facilities.