Sept 9 (LNGJ) - Equinor, the operator of the Hammerfest LNG export plant in northern Norway and a main pipeline gas supplier to Western Europe, said it had conducted an in-depth analysis of gas wells drilled at the Martin Linge field before the company took over as the operator from Total in 2018. This review concluded that several of the wells did not have the necessary barriers. “Equinor therefore plans to drill new wells in order to ensure safe production,” it stated.
Equinor said deficiencies were discovered in four gas wells that were drilled at Martin Linge before 2018 and make them inappropriate for safe production. “The wells are considered safe as they are now, but we will keep them plugged and under continuous monitoring until we have reduced the pressure in the formation by producing from other wells. Safety is always priority number one,” said Geir Tungesvik, acting Executive Vice President for Technology, Projects and Drilling at Equinor.
