ORLEN acquires 25% stake in Aphrodite field on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

ORLEN Upstream Norway (OUN) has acquired a 25% stake in licence PL293, covering the unconventional Aphrodite gas field in the North Sea. The move strengthens ORLEN’s upstream portfolio on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and supports the company’s ORLEN 2035 strategy aimed at increasing gas production from Norway.

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11 february 2026   |   11:16   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. ORLEN

Aphrodite field: 7.5 bcm of estimated gas resources

The Aphrodite field, discovered in 2008, is estimated to contain approximately 7.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas, of which nearly 1.9 bcm would be attributable to ORLEN.

Due to challenging geological conditions — including low reservoir permeability combined with high temperature and pressure — the field has so far remained undeveloped. The licence partners have now decided to drill an appraisal well to assess the potential for commercial production using advanced stimulation techniques typical for unconventional reservoirs.

According to Wiesław Prugar, Member of the ORLEN Management Board for Upstream, Aphrodite will serve as a testing ground for new methods of developing unconventional hydrocarbon resources on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Potential tie-back to Kvitebjørn infrastructure

If development proceeds, production from Aphrodite could be tied back to the existing Kvitebjørn field infrastructure, where OUN also holds an interest. This approach could deliver significant operational and cost synergies by leveraging established processing and export facilities in the North Sea.

Following completion of the transaction — subject to standard approvals by Norwegian authorities — ORLEN will hold 25% in PL293. Equinor remains the operator with a 70% stake, while Wellesley Petroleum holds the remaining 5%.

Expanding unconventional gas portfolio in Norway

The Aphrodite acquisition marks another step in ORLEN’s expansion within Norway’s unconventional gas segment. In January 2026, under the APA 2025 licensing round, ORLEN Upstream Norway was offered a 20% stake in the unconventional Victoria field — the largest undeveloped gas discovery on the NCS, with geological resources estimated at 140 bcm.

Total discovered but undeveloped unconventional gas resources in Norway are estimated at over 800 bcm, representing significant long-term potential for European energy markets.

ORLEN 2035 strategy: up to 12 bcm per year from Norway

Under the ORLEN 2035 strategy, Norwegian assets are expected to deliver up to 12 bcm of natural gas annually by 2030. Projects such as Aphrodite and Victoria are key to sustaining production growth, enhancing supply diversification, and reinforcing energy security across Central and Eastern Europe.

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ORLEN gaz ziemny z Norwegii złoże Afrodyta potencjał energetyczny offshore

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