據美國彭博新聞社2022年11月22日奧斯陸報道，由于歐盟急于取代產能大國管道天然氣供應，挪威將從2026年起在挪威海增加一個新的天然氣田，以加強對歐洲大陸的天然氣供應。

挪威石油和能源部周二在一份聲明中表示，挪威能源巨頭Equinor ASA將牽頭開發位于挪威海北部的Irpa天然氣發現，預計可采天然氣儲量達到200億標準立方米。投資總額為148億克朗(14億美元)，計劃在2026年第四季度投產。  

挪威石油和能源大臣Terje Aasland收到該開發計劃之際，歐洲在天然氣供應方面面臨多年的不確定性。地緣政治沖突爆發后， 挪威一直在尋求提高天然氣產量，試圖在一定程度上抵消產量的下降。

Aasland在接受采訪時表示：“歐洲對能源安全的需求是巨大的，我們能夠繼續開發挪威大陸架，繼續成為歐洲市場穩定和長期的天然氣供應國，這在當前是非常重要的。”

以前被稱為Asterix的Irpa天然氣發現將與海底設施一起開發，海底設施將與Aasta Hansteen平臺連接，對所產天然氣進行處理，并通過Polarled天然氣管道進一步輸送到歐洲市場。Irpa天然氣發現預計能生產到2039年，將Hansteen平臺的壽命延長7年。  

Equinor負責項目、鉆井和采購的執行副總裁Geir Tungesvik周二表示：“這延長了Aasta Hansteen平臺的使用壽命，確保了向歐洲輸送天然氣的安全，并創造了就業機會和連鎖反應。”他說，Irpa氣田深達1350米(4429.1英尺)，是挪威大陸架上最深的氣田，并補充說，獲取天然氣將涉及使用新技術使管道免受極端寒冷的影響。

Equinor是運營商，擁有51%的股份，挪威Petoro AS公司擁有20%的股份，溫特斯豪Dea和殼牌公司分別擁有19%和10%的股份。 

李峻 編譯自 美國彭博新聞社

原文如下：

Equinor, partners to invest $1.4 billion to develop Norwegian gas field

Norway will add a new natural gas field in the Norwegian Sea from 2026 in a push to bolster supplies to continental Europe as the EU rushes to replace flows.

Equinor ASA will lead the development of the Irpa gas discovery in the northern reaches of the Norwegian Sea to unlock an estimated 20 billion standard cubic meters of recoverable reserves, Norway’s Petroleum and Energy Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Investments will total 14.8 billion kroner ($1.4 billion), with production planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Aasland received the development plan as Europe faces years of uncertainty over gas supplies after flows were cut in the aftermath of the war. Norway has sought to boost production in an attempt to offset some of that decline.

“Europe’s need for energy security is enormous and its hugely important these days that we can continue to develop the Norwegian continental shelf and continue to be a stable and long-term supplier of gas to the European market,” Aasland said in an interview.

Irpa, previously known as Asterix, will be developed with a seabed facility that will be connected to the Aasta Hansteen platform for processing and further transport through the Polarled gas pipeline to the markets in Europe. It is expected to produce until 2039, extending the life of Hansteen by seven years.

“This lengthens the lifespan of Aasta Hansteen, secures gas deliveries to Europe and creates jobs and ripple effects,” Equinor Executive Vice President for Projects, Drilling and Procurement, Geir Tungesvik said Tuesday. At 1,350 meters (4,429.1 feet) the field is the deepest on the Norwegian continental shelf, he said, adding that accessing the gas will involve the use of new technology to insulate the pipelines from extreme cold.

Equinor is operator with a 51% stake, while Petoro AS owns 20%, Wintershall Dea 19% and Shell Plc 10%.