Norway’s Aker BP has marked its best exploration year since 2010 with a significant gas and condensate discovery in the North Sea. The Lofn and Langemann discovery in the Sleipner area concludes a remarkable year for the company, delivering more than 100 million barrels net across multiple major finds.
- Gas and condensate discovery estimated at 30-110 million barrels of oil equivalent
- Lofn and Langemann wells located 40 km northwest of Sleipner A between Gudrun and Eirin fields
- 2025 marks most prolific exploration year for Aker BP since Johan Sverdrup in 2010
- Discovery supports Aker BP’s target of producing over 500,000 barrels per day into the 2030s
Major North Sea Gas Discovery Reinforces Energy Security
The Lofn and Langemann discovery represents a major breakthrough for Equinor and Aker BP, marking the largest finds by the companies in 2025. The wells encountered gas and condensate in the Hugin formation, which features high-quality sandstone reservoirs suitable for efficient development.
Located approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Sleipner A, the discovery sits strategically between the Gudrun and Eirin fields. This positioning allows the partnership to evaluate development options that leverage existing infrastructure, enabling rapid deployment and low-emission production for European markets.
A Remarkable Year of Triple Discoveries Transforms Portfolio
The Omega Alfa discovery completed in August ranks among Norway’s largest commercial discoveries in a decade. This breakthrough demonstrated innovative exploration methods and pushed technological boundaries across the Yggdrasil area.
CEO Karl Johnny Hersvik Celebrates Historic Achievement and Strategic Vision
“The Lofn and Langemann discovery marks the conclusion of a strong exploration year for Aker BP. Across three major discoveries, we have added more than 100 million barrels net to the company, including Omega Alfa and Kjøttkake earlier this year. This makes 2025 our most successful exploration year since Johan Sverdrup was discovered in 2010.”
— Karl Johnny Hersvik, CEO of Aker BP
Hersvik emphasized that these discoveries are critical to sustaining production trajectories into the 2030s. The company aims to produce more than one billion barrels from the Yggdrasil area, with Aker BP holding between 38-48 percent ownership in the exploration licenses.
Strategic Partnerships and Infrastructure Leverage Drive Development Economics
The Lofn and Langemann wells were drilled by the Deepsea Atlantic rig in production license PL1140. Equinor operates the license with 60 percent interest, while Aker BP holds 40 percent. The license was awarded in 2022 through the APA (Awards in Predefined Areas) licensing round.
The partnership utilized advanced Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) seismic technology, where sensors placed on the seabed provide more precise geological data than traditional surface seismic. This technological innovation directly contributed to identifying these highly productive drilling targets in challenging North Sea conditions.
What Makes This Discovery Critical for European Energy Markets Going Forward?
The discovery addresses critical energy security concerns across Europe. Existing infrastructure in the Sleipner area enables rapid, cost-effective development with minimal environmental impact. The gas and condensate volumes can be transported directly to European markets through established pipeline systems.
Equinor’s VP Kjetil Hove stated that the discovery demonstrates the importance of maintaining exploration activity on the Norwegian continental shelf. Europe requires stable oil and gas deliveries, and discoveries near existing fields support both profitability and low carbon emissions from production. Plans call for drilling five additional exploration wells in the area to maximize the region’s potential.
The Kjøttkake discovery also progresses toward first oil in 2028 following an operatorship transfer to Aker BP in November. The company leverages its fast-track development capabilities to execute projects efficiently while maintaining environmental standards.
Sources
- Aker BP – Official announcement on North Sea discovery and exploration results
- Equinor – Technical details on Lofn and Langemann wells and infrastructure plans
- Reuters – Industry coverage of major exploration achievements
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