Will someone give Linerle another chance with EOR?
Linerle is the Norwegian word for White Wagtail. In this context, linerle is an oil discovery in the Norwegian Sea. (Photo: Shutterstock)
8/24/2026 Advanced methods can yield enhanced oil and gas recovery. So far, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate has identified three discoveries on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) that may be suitable for enhanced recovery using advanced methods (EOR). One of them remains unclaimed.
The Linerle discovery in the Norwegian Sea contains a projected 33.7 million Sm³ of oil. The discovery is situated around 25 kilometres from the Norne field. Linerle is one of few discoveries on the NCS that contains relatively high viscosity oil, which is uncommon on the NCS. The companies will be able to apply for Linerle in upcoming APA rounds.
Previous studies indicate that conventional recovery methods can be expected to yield a relatively low recovery rate of 17 per cent. In other words, vast volumes of oil may remain in the reservoir if the field is developed using such methods. Linerle would benefit from a renewed assessment, considering improved recovery using advanced chemical EOR methods.
EOR on Linerle is realistic
The anticipated low recovery rate makes Linerle an ideal candidate for an in-depth assessment of what can be done to improve the recovery rate. “Linerle is a realistic opportunity to test whether chemical EOR can generate values offshore,” says Ove Bjørn Wilson, senior reservoir engineer at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.
He adds that this method has been used on several fields on the UK shelf and has proven good results.
This year, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate is working to identify projects that are candidates for profitable development using EOGR (advanced methods for enhanced oil and gas recovery).
Beyond Linerle, the Slagugle project in the Norwegian Sea and Frigg near the Hugin field in the North Sea have been identified as potential candidates for using such methods.
The operators are now continuing to refine various solutions to drain the fields. The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is exploring whether they could achieve enhanced recovery using advanced injection methods.
No time to waste
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is also considering possible use of CO2 injection to improve recovery. This is used on a large scale in Brazil. Once production ceases, the fields can also function as permanent CO2 storage sites.
Different EOR methods
Low-salinity water injection and chemical EOR have shown promising results.
Gas injection using either CO2 or hydrocarbon gas represent the greatest potential. CO2 injection for EOR purposes can improve oil recovery and store significant volumes of CO2 in the subsurface.
“In order to reduce the anticipated production decline on the NCS, it’s important that the companies devote greater efforts toward considering EOGR opportunities. Today, most measures are aimed at conventional improved oil recovery (IOR). Advanced EOGR can generate considerable values, but there is a risk of overlooking attractive opportunities,” Wilson says.
The theoretical potential for boosting recovery using advanced methods on the NCS was previously estimated at 350-700 million standard cubic metres of oil equivalent. While uncertainty is great, these overall volumes could rival the full production from the Johan Sverdrup field.
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is focused on rapid implementation of EOGR. You can read more in this article.
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate will be continuing the EOGR conversation during ONS. Everyone is welcome to attend the “Field development solutions” presentation under “Technical Sessions”.
Later this year, the Directorate will be hosting a dedicated seminar on the opportunities identified in Linerle. More information.
Want to know more about the outlook on the NCS going forward? You can find this information in the Resource Report 2026.
Updated: 8/24/2026