Embla – Remote Wellhead Operations in Norway’s North Sea

The Embla field is an oil and gas producing field located in the southern part of the Norwegian North Sea, just south of the Eldfisk area. It was discovered in 1988, and after the development plan received approval in 1990, production began in May 1993. The field is operated under Production Licence 018 by ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS and continues to contribute hydrocarbons to the regional export network.

Embla has been developed with an unmanned wellhead facility that is remotely controlled from the nearby Eldfisk installation. The water depth in the field area is roughly 70 metres, and production is sustained through a series of four active producers that draw oil and associated gas from complex, segmented Devonian and Permian sandstone and conglomerate reservoirs at depths exceeding 4 000 metres.

Due to the challenging nature of the reservoir — including high pressure and high temperature conditions — the field is produced primarily by pressure depletion, a strategy that relies on the natural drive mechanism in the rock.

Hydrocarbons extracted at Embla are transported by pipeline to the Eldfisk S facility for processing, after which they are integrated into the broader export system via Ekofisk. From there, oil flows through the Norpipe oil pipeline to Teesside (UK) and gas moves through the Norpipe gas line to Emden (Germany).

In 2026, YABIMO is supporting operations at the Embla Field by supplying experienced offshore personnel who contribute to essential maintenance and operational activities. These specialists help uphold safety and efficiency on the facility and support the ongoing production programme.

The specialists provided by YABIMO in 2026 include:

• Insulation fitters – responsible for installing and maintaining thermal and acoustic insulation systems
• Scaffolders – skilled in erecting and maintaining safe scaffolding structures for elevated work
• Surface fitters – carrying out mechanical assembly, installation, and maintenance of surface equipment

Project significance:
Though relatively small compared with some neighbouring developments, Embla plays an important role as part of the Greater Ekofisk Area portfolio. Its unmanned wellhead facility and remote operations represent efficient utilisation of existing infrastructure. The field’s integration into regional pipelines for processing and export ensures that production from Embla continues to contribute to Norway’s offshore energy output.