Equinor halts Troll gas field modification, boosting output

OSLO, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Equinor EQNR.OL is abandoning plans to install a second electric export compressor on its Troll C platform in the North Sea, preventing a drop in output from Europe's largest natural gas field in 2027 and 2028, the Norwegian company said.

• Installing the second compressor would have required an extensive modification period, resulting in reduced production from Troll C for up to 21 months

• Decision makes around 2.3 billion standard cubic metres of additional gas available to the European market in 2027 and 2028, Equinor said

• "This corresponds to approximately two years of gas consumption for around one million European households"

• But by not installing the compressor, CO2 emissions from the field will be higher than if the installation took place as planned in 2021

• The original installation plan called for compensating a loss of gas output by increasing production from Troll A, but the field is now producing at maximum capacity throughout the year and is thus unable to do so