ORLEN Upstream Norway and Equinor, the operator, have started production from a new field in the North Sea. At peak output, Eirin will deliver around 270 million cubic meters of gas per year to ORLEN. Production is carried out using installations powered by electricity from renewable energy sources.

— Gas production from the Norwegian Continental Shelf plays a vital role in enhancing the energy security of both Europe and Poland, which makes ORLEN’s long‑term presence in Norway strategically important. Bringing the Eirin field onstream strengthens our position in the region and demonstrates our commitment and capability in executing investments that expand the hydrocarbon potential of the Shelf. Gas from Eirin is already being delivered to Poland, further ensuring reliable supplies for ORLEN’s customers despite the challenging international environment — said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board of ORLEN SA.

The Eirin field is located in the North Sea, approximately 250 km west of Stavanger. Its recoverable resources are estimated at 27.6 million barrels of oil equivalents, including. 3.0 billion standard cubic meters of natural gas. ORLEN Upstream Norway holds a 41.3% interest in the field, corresponding to 11.4 million barrels of oil equivalent, including 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas in net recoverable volumes. The remaining interest is held by Equinor.

Eirin development plan was approved in January 2024. The production well has been tied back to the nearby Gina Krog platform, where ORLEN Upstream Norway is also a partner.

— In the case of Eirin, leveraging existing infrastructure means not only reduced development costs and a faster time to first gas, but also additional production volumes. Based on the operator’s estimates, connecting Eirin will allow us to extend Gina Krog’s production life by seven years and increase its recovery rate. This will enable the production of an additional 9.7 million barrels of oil equivalent, corresponding to 4 million barrels net to ORLEN. It is a strong example of our effective asset management aimed at maximizing the value of our portfolio — said Wiesław Prugar, ORLEN Management Board Member for Upstream.

Tying Eirin back to the Gina Krog platform ensures that production from the new field is powered primarily by renewable energy. Since 2023, Gina Krog has been fully supplied with power from shore, where roughly 90% of electricity is generated from hydropower and a further 8% from wind. As a result, emissions associated with production from Eirin will be just 3 kg of CO2/BoE, significantly below the Norwegian Shelf average of 6.7 kg and the global upstream average of roughly 16 kg (based on the Offshore Norge Climate and Environmental Report 2025).

Gas produced from Eirin and Gina Krog is transported to the Sleipner field’s platform complex, where ORLEN also holds an interest. After treatment to meet commercial specifications, the gas is sent to the Nybro entry point connecting the Norwegian and Danish transmission systems. From there, the gas is delivered to Poland via the Baltic Pipe.

ORLEN Upstream Norway and Equinor see further potential in the Gina Krog–Eirin area and plan further exploration activity in the coming years.

Photo Courtesy of ORLEN