Equinor Doubles Estimate for Major North Sea Gas Discovery

The Afrodite gas discovery in the Norwegian North Sea may contain twice the volumes initially thought, operator Equinor said on Thursday after drilling a new appraisal well. 3 miles away from Kvitebjørn. Equinor considers the Afrodite discovery to be commercially viable. Data from the drilling of a branch appraisal well in the autumn of 2026 show that the recoverable gas volumes may be more than twice as large as previously estimated, the Norwegian major said.

The recoverable volumes of gas and condensate are now estimated at between 77 and 180 million barrels of oil equivalent. The total volumes in the reservoir are about three times as large, but the reservoir properties mean that only parts of the resources can be recovered, Equinor said.