Ekofisk Field – Sustained Offshore Production and Engineering

The Ekofisk field is one of the most historic and strategically important oil developments on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, located in the southern part of Norway’s North Sea sector. It was discovered in 1969, and early testing began in 1971, followed by regular production from 1972 onwards — making Ekofisk one of the earliest commercial fields on the Norwegian shelf. The field lies in relatively shallow water, around 70 metres deep.

Since its initial development, Ekofisk has expanded into a complex of interconnected platforms and facilities, adapting over time to meet production challenges and incorporate adjacent smaller developments. Originally, the field was developed with three main production platforms (Ekofisk A, B, C), and later additions included wellhead and processing platforms, as well as water injection facilities to support recovery.

The reservoir at Ekofisk consists primarily of naturally fractured chalk of Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene age, with exceptionally high porosity but low permeability. Over decades of production, the field has employed extensive water injection techniques to boost oil recovery — increasing the amount of oil recovered far beyond the early projections.

Oil and gas produced at Ekofisk are transported via major export pipelines: crude oil through the Norpipe oil pipeline to Teesside in the United Kingdom, and natural gas via the Norpipe gas line to Emden in Germany. Continuous drilling, well interventions, and structured reservoir management have sustained a high level of production for decades.

In 2026, YABIMO is providing specialised offshore personnel to support ongoing operations at the Ekofisk Field. These skilled workers play an important role in maintaining critical platform systems and ensuring operational continuity across the facility.

Among the personnel provided by YABIMO in 2026 are:

• Insulation fitters – specialists in installing and maintaining thermal and acoustic insulation systems
• Scaffolders – responsible for constructing and upkeeping safe scaffold structures for elevated work
• Surface fitters – executing mechanical assembly, installation and maintenance of surface components

Project significance:
Ekofisk is not only a long‑producing oil field but also a cornerstone of Norway’s offshore industry, influencing how oil and gas developments have been planned and managed on the Norwegian shelf. Its sustained production over more than fifty years demonstrates the effectiveness of engineering adaptations such as water injection and ongoing infrastructure upgrades, highlighting Ekofisk’s role as a backbone of regional energy supply.