Equinor strikes new gas find near Johan Castberg field in Barents Sea

Equinor and its partners, Vår Energi and Petoro, announced a new gas discovery in the Skred prospect, located near the Johan Castberg oilfield in the Barents Sea.

According to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, the find contains an estimated 0.3 to 0.5 billion standard cubic metres of recoverable gas—equivalent to approximately 1.9 to 3.1 million barrels of oil equivalent.

The discovery was made in production licence 532, with Equinor holding a 46.3% interest, Vår Energi 30%, and Petoro 23.7%. The partners are now assessing whether the gas can be commercially tied back to the existing Johan Castberg infrastructure, a move that could optimise the field’s output and economic return.

This latest find builds on recent momentum in the region, following an oil discovery in the nearby Drivis Tubåen formation just weeks earlier. The Johan Castberg field, which began production earlier this year, is fast becoming a strategic hub for infrastructure-led exploration in the Barents Sea.

While smaller than recent oil finds, the Skred discovery supports Norway’s broader strategy of maximising resource recovery through the use of existing platforms. It also aligns with long-term plans for a “Gas Bank” in the Barents, a concept aimed at consolidating future gas volumes for possible export development.

If deemed commercially viable, tying the gas discovery into Johan Castberg could reduce development costs and carbon intensity, offering a cost-efficient boost to Norwegian output at a time of heightened energy demand in Europe.