Arctic oil giant Johan Castberg field starts up in boost for Norway exports

Norway

OSLO, August 11, 2025 – Equinor has launched full production at the Johan Castberg oilfield in the Barents Sea, a 220,000-bopd Arctic project set to operate for at least 30 years and strengthen the country’s position as a major global energy supplier, the company said on Friday.

The Barents Sea oilfield, Norway’s northernmost, reached peak production less than three months after start-up, with oil cargoes worth up to USD 46 million departing every few days. Norwegian suppliers provide 95% of operational deliveries.

“This is a milestone for the petroleum industry in the Barents Sea… This provides secure jobs in the local business community and a basis for new assignments over a long period of time,” Minister of Energy Terje Aasland said.

The FPSO-based development, operated by Equinor with partners Vår Energi and Petoro, includes 30 wells across 10 subsea templates and two satellite structures, with drilling expected to continue through 2026. The project is supported by supply and helicopter bases in Hammerfest and managed from Equinor’s Harstad office.

Equinor is Norway’s largest energy company with global operations in oil, gas, renewables and low-carbon solutions. In Norway, the company operates multiple offshore fields, including Johan Castberg, and maintains Arctic support hubs to serve its northern developments.

Photo courtesy of Equinor