Aker BP’s Omega Alfa ranks among Norway’s largest oil finds in a decade
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Norway has confirmed one of its most significant oil discoveries in a decade. Operator Aker BP announced that the Omega Alfa well in the North Sea contains recoverable volumes estimated between 96 million and 134 million barrels of oil equivalent. The scale places it among the largest finds offshore Norway in recent years, adding momentum to the nation’s role as a leading supplier of energy to Europe.
The discovery strengthens Norway’s resource outlook at a time when Europe is working to secure stable energy supplies. Omega Alfa is the latest addition to a series of successful wells drilled by Aker BP and partners, expanding the potential of the Yggdrasil development project that was approved in 2023.
Aker BP and its partners reinforce Yggdrasil as a core energy hub
The Omega Alfa find will likely be tied back to the Yggdrasil project, a multi-field development west of Norway that already contains about 700 million barrels of oil equivalent in proven reserves. With the addition of Omega Alfa and other recent discoveries, Aker BP has stated its ambition to deliver more than one billion barrels of production from the area.
Aker BP holds the operator role across the licenses covering Omega Alfa, with partners Equinor, Petoro, and Orlen Upstream Norway sharing ownership. In one exploration license, Aker BP controls 47.7 percent, Equinor 40 percent, and Orlen 12.3 percent. In another, Aker BP holds 38.16 percent, Equinor 32 percent, Petoro 20 percent, and Orlen 9.84 percent. The distribution reflects a balance of state participation and private-sector involvement, a hallmark of Norway’s offshore industry.
The development will build on earlier milestones, including the East Frigg Beta-Epsilon well drilled in 2023 that added as much as 90 million barrels of recoverable resources to the Yggdrasil base. These discoveries are shaping Yggdrasil into one of Norway’s most strategic offshore projects, with first oil scheduled for 2027.
Record-breaking drilling technology supported the discovery
The scale of Omega Alfa was confirmed through a campaign that tested the limits of drilling technology on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Using the semisubmersible rig Deepsea Stavanger, Aker BP drilled five exploration targets, Omega, Alfa, Alfa South, Sigma NE, and Pi, over three months beginning in May.
The rig team drilled a combined 45,000 meters, including 40,000 meters in reservoir sections. Several of the multilateral branches rank among the longest ever drilled offshore Norway, with the longest stretching 10,666 meters. These extended horizontal wells provided access to multiple reservoir zones, creating an extensive dataset that has strengthened confidence in the subsurface.
Multilateral and long-reach horizontal drilling have become defining features of exploration in the North Sea, where maximizing recovery from complex reservoirs requires precision engineering. Aker BP’s execution of the Omega Alfa campaign demonstrates how advanced methods continue to extend the life and productivity of Norway’s offshore sector.
Yggdrasil project timeline points to growth from 2027 onward
Approved by the Norwegian government in 2023, the Yggdrasil development is designed as a multi-field hub with subsea tiebacks and advanced digital operations. First oil is scheduled for 2027, with Aker BP leading a phased expansion strategy. The Omega Alfa discovery will accelerate resource growth and contribute to long-term production goals.
With strong financial performance and steady cash flow, Aker BP is positioned to fund the next stages of development. Equinor and Petoro, both significant players in Norway’s petroleum landscape, bring additional scale and stability to the partnership. Together, the group is working to design optimal tieback solutions that integrate Omega Alfa into Yggdrasil’s future infrastructure.
Implications for Norway’s energy security and offshore industry
The Omega Alfa find arrives at a critical moment for Europe. Norway has emerged as a cornerstone of European energy security following the disruption of Russian gas supplies in recent years. While natural gas remains the country’s dominant export, oil continues to play a central role in Norway’s offshore economy.
Adding up to 134 million barrels of recoverable reserves will extend Norway’s production profile and reinforce its standing as one of Europe’s most reliable energy suppliers. At the same time, the discovery underscores how offshore Norway remains competitive in attracting investment despite global energy transitions and debates around climate policy.
Environmental scrutiny and regulatory reviews remain integral to the project’s progression, and the development of new oil fields faces ongoing political discussion in Norway. Yet Omega Alfa illustrates the continued importance of hydrocarbons in meeting both national revenue goals and regional supply needs.
Omega Alfa builds on decades of offshore success while pointing toward a new phase of development. With drilling records set, partnerships aligned, and resources secured, Aker BP and its partners have positioned Yggdrasil as a defining project for Norway’s energy future.
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