Orlen Expands in Norway. This Is One of Its Most Important Areas of Operation
Orlen Upstream Norway has signed an agreement with Norwegian operator DNO to acquire stakes in two fields in the North Sea. The transaction will increase the company's reserves by 8 million barrels of oil equivalent. The fields are predominantly gas, with the total volume of acquired resources amounting to about 1 billion m³. Production is scheduled to start between 2028 and 2029.
Orlen sold part of its assets to DNO, reducing drilling costs.
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The acquired stakes include the Albuskjell and Ekofisk Vest fields, in which DNO holds 7.6 percent each. The fields are in the final phase of preparations for submitting a development plan, with the final investment decision expected by the end of 2025.
The projects will be developed jointly with the nearby Tommeliten Gamma field, in which Orlen currently holds a 42.38 percent stake, and in September 2025 signed an agreement to acquire an additional 20.23 percent. Ultimately, the stake is to reach 62.61 percent. Holding shares in all three fields will allow the company to achieve synergy effects.
The projects will be developed jointly with the nearby Tommeliten Gamma field, in which Orlen currently holds a 42.38 percent stake, and in September 2025 signed an agreement to acquire an additional 20.23 percent. Ultimately, the stake is to reach 62.61 percent. Holding shares in all three fields will allow the company to achieve synergy effects.
Sale of Part of DNO Assets
At the same time, Orlen sold part of its assets to DNO. This concerns a 20 percent stake in the PL1135 exploration license and a 0.83 percent stake in the Verdande field. The company emphasizes that this limits its exposure to exploration drilling costs and aligns with its risk diversification strategy.
Verdande is the smallest field in the Orlen Upstream Norway portfolio. Its resources amount to 0.35 million barrels of oil equivalent, mainly crude oil. The sale of the shares allows for a reduction in supervision costs over the assets.
Verdande is the smallest field in the Orlen Upstream Norway portfolio. Its resources amount to 0.35 million barrels of oil equivalent, mainly crude oil. The sale of the shares allows for a reduction in supervision costs over the assets.
The transactions increase Orlen's control over key projects in the region.Photo: Adobe Stock, standard license
Growing Portfolio of Norwegian Licenses
Orlen currently holds 100 licenses on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, reserves of around 415 million barrels of oil equivalent, and production at the level of 110,000 barrels per day. Gas production in 2024 reached 4.5 billion m³, which is delivered to Poland mainly via the Baltic Pipe.
The conclusion of new transactions will enable further expansion of the production portfolio in the region. Further investment decisions will be made after the completion of administrative reviews and the expiration of pre-emption rights deadlines.
The conclusion of new transactions will enable further expansion of the production portfolio in the region. Further investment decisions will be made after the completion of administrative reviews and the expiration of pre-emption rights deadlines.
The completion of partner consultations and obtaining administrative approvals will pave the way for the next stages of operational preparations. Joint development of the three fields will allow for the unification of operational plans and more efficient use of existing infrastructure in the North Sea. As the projects develop, the Norwegian upstream segment will remain one of Orlen's key areas of activity.
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