The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has hired Terra Stream Energy consultants to improve the estimation of recoverable resources for the Norselhøgda gas discovery in the Barents Sea. This study aims to develop a reservoir model that companies can use to evaluate development options. It is expected that this study will be completed by the end of the current year, after which the model will be shared and a seminar for the industry will be held.
Details of the Norselhøgda Discovery
The Norselhøgda gas field is located about 200 kilometers north of Hammerfest. This field was discovered in 1988 in well 7226/11-1, and a production test was conducted; however, the area was later relinquished to the authorities. The reservoir of this field requires mobility due to its specific characteristics, a method that has been previously used in offshore platforms in Norway and other locations.
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Importance and Potential of New Discoveries
Arne Jacobsen, Vice President of Technology and Subsurface at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, stated: "Several large gas discoveries have been made in the Barents Sea, about which we still have a lot of information gaps. Norselhøgda is one of several discoveries that the Norwegian Offshore Directorate believes companies should take a closer look at." Comparable discoveries have also been made near this field, including in production license 1313, which was awarded in the 2025 round of predefined area awards (APA).
Jacobsen also added: "There is a possibility that these discoveries could be examined in a broader context. If license 1313 is fully developed, there may be benefits for extraction. Companies will have the opportunity to apply for Norselhøgda in the next APA round."
The development of this area depends on new infrastructure, which is particularly important in light of plans to increase gas export capacity. Jacobsen emphasized that the gas in this area has a very low CO₂ content, only 0.3 percent, which makes the use of existing infrastructure easier.
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