Vår Energi ASA

Regulatory Filings • Sep 19, 2022

Update on Balder X project

Update on Balder X project

Sandnes, Norway, 19 September 2022: Vår Energi ASA (OSE: VAR) today provided an

update on the progress for the Balder X development and a revised cost estimate

which reflect increased scope of work, the continued impact from global supply

chain challenges, Covid-19 and schedule change. The Company's production target

of more than 350,000 boed by the end of 2025 is unaffected.

Balder X, which comprises Balder Future and the Ringhorne Phase IV drilling

projects, is set to extend production from the Balder Hub to 2045 and support

development of new nearby discoveries by upgrading existing infrastructure and

drilling of new wells. A baseline project review has identified additional gross

investment requirements of USD 1.2 billion*(NOK 11.5 billion), bringing the

total estimated gross project cost to USD 4.3 billion (NOK 40.7 billion). First

oil from Balder X is now expected in the third quarter of 2024, compared to

previously late in 2023.

The revision will not impact the 2022 CAPEX guidance and the Company maintains

its dividend guidance for 2022 and long-term dividend policy. The main

production impact from the revised schedule is expected in 2024, however partly

mitigated by a faster ramp-up of production as more Balder Future production

wells are expected to be ready for start-up. The Company also expects the

majority of incremental capital expenditure to be incurred in 2024.

"We are committed to the safe execution of the remaining project scope to

complete the refurbishment of the Jotun FPSO as efficiently as possible. Balder

X remains a highly profitable project which is expected to increase the Balder

Hub gross production to over 70,000 barrels of oil equivalents per day at peak

with an attractive break-even price," said Torger Rød, CEO of Vår Energi.

The new cost estimate and schedule change are mainly related to Balder Future,

with increased scope and additional engineering and construction work on the

Jotun FPSO lifetime extension. External factors including Covid-19, challenging

weather conditions for drilling and offshore activities, and commodity and

services price inflation have to some extent impacted the overall project. Key

focus areas are to ensure progress and cost control for the remaining part of

the project.

Balder X is expected to unlock an estimated 143 million barrels of recoverable

reserves. Once the Jotun FPSO is re-installed and connected to the Balder Future

production wells, it will tie in the new Ringhorne wells. Furthermore, the King

and Prince discoveries announced in 2021, estimated to hold additional 60-135

million barrels of oil, are being considered for tie-ins to the Jotun FPSO. Vår

Energi is also evaluating new exploration prospects in the highly prolific

Balder area.

"The Balder Hub will remain a significant contributor to the long-term value

creation from the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Balder is part of the first

production license awarded in Norway and has since 1999 produced approximately

500 million barrels of oil and gas equivalents, contributing to European energy

supply security and to the development of the Norwegian society. We see a

potential to increase the production from the greater Balder area up towards 1

billion barrels based on planned projects, recent discoveries and adding risked

exploration resources," said Rød.

The revised cost estimate and schedule will be included in Norway's National

Budget for 2023 to be published 6 October 2022.

* FX USD/NOK 9.5

The Balder X Project

· The Balder field is in production license PL 001 - the very first license on

the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) - acquired in 1965.

· The Balder X project aims to extend production to 2045 and consists of four

ongoing projects: Balder FPU life extension - vessel upgrade, drilling new wells

on Ringhorne III/IV and Balder Future including Jotun FPSO lifetime extension

and drilling 14 new production wells and one water injection well.

· The project is reusing existing infrastructure to reduce the development

footprint and to open for a potential future retirement of production assets

which may reduce annual CO2 emission ~100,000 ton per year.

· King and Prince discoveries in the Balder area, estimated to hold 60-135

million barrels of oil, are currently assessed for tie-ins to the Jotun FPSO.

· License owners: Vår Energi ASA 90% and Mime Petroleum AS 10%

About Vår Energi

Vår Energi is a leading independent upstream oil and gas company on the

Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). We are committed to deliver a better future

through responsible value driven growth based on over 50 years of NCS

operations, a robust and diversified asset portfolio with ongoing development

projects, and a strong exploration track record. Our ambition is to be the

safest operator on the NCS, the partner of choice, an ESG leader and a net-zero

producer (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030.

Vår Energi has more than 900 employees and equity stakes in 36 fields producing

net 246,000 boe per day in 2021. We have our headquarters outside Stavanger,

Norway, with offices in Oslo and Hammerfest. To learn more, please visit

varenergi.no.

Contact

Investor relations

Ida Marie Fjellheim, Head of Investor Relations

+47 90509291

ida.fjellheim@varenergi.no

Media relations

Andreas Wulff, Communication Manager

+47 92616759

andreas.wulff@varenergi.no

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU

Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant

to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange

release was published by Ida Marie Fjellheim, Head of Investor Relations at Vår

Energi ASA, on 19 September 2022 at 07:00 CEST.

This announcement may include projections and other "forward-looking" statements

within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any such projections or

statements reflect the current views of Vår Energi ASA ("Var Energi") about

further events and financial performance. No assurances can be given that such

events or performance will occur as projected and actual results may differ

materially from these projections. Var Energi undertakes no obligation to

publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect

events or circumstances after the date of this announcement.