Equinor Discovers New Oil Field in Norwegian Arctic
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 18 2026
0mins
Should l Buy EQNR?
Source: seekingalpha
Equinor ASA (EQNR) reached a 52-week high with a price increase of 3.00% amid the announcement of a new oil discovery in the Norwegian Arctic Barents Sea.
The discovery, with preliminary estimates of recoverable oil equivalents ranging from 14 million to 24 million barrels, strengthens Equinor's strategic position in Arctic oil and gas development. This new find will be connected to the Johan Castberg field, which is set to begin production in Q1 2025, showcasing Equinor's ongoing investment in the region. The company also plans to drill 1-2 exploration wells annually to further enhance its resource base.
This significant discovery not only opens new growth opportunities for Equinor but also has the potential to attract increased investor interest in the Arctic oil and gas market, reinforcing the company's leadership role in the global energy transition.
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Analyst Views on EQNR
Wall Street analysts forecast EQNR stock price to fall
2 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 41.120
Low
22.00
Averages
23.89
High
25.79
Current: 41.120
Low
22.00
Averages
23.89
High
25.79
About EQNR
Equinor ASA, formerly Statoil ASA is a Norway-based international energy company. The Company’s purpose is to turn natural resources into energy. Equinor sells crude oil and delivers natural gas to the European market. It is also engaged in processing, refining, offshore wind and carbon capture and storage activities. Equinor ASA has five reporting segments: Exploration & Production Norway (E&P Norway), Exploration & Production International (E&P International), Exploration & Production USA (E&P USA), Marketing, Midstream & Processing (MMP) and Renewables (REN). The Company has several subsidiaries such as Equinor Nigeria Energy Company Ltd, Equinor Wind Power AS, Equinor International Netherlands BV and Equinor Brasil Energia Ltda.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Crude Supply Tightness: The IEA reports that 25% of global seaborne oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and the prospect of its closure has driven oil prices up, prompting investors to consider U.S. companies like Devon Energy and Diamondback Energy to mitigate supply risks and secure capital returns.
- LNG Trade Disruption: Approximately 20% of global LNG trade passes through the Strait, and its closure will lead to rising prices worldwide, particularly impacting Europe; investors might look to Norway's Equinor and Australia's Woodside Energy to fill the supply gap in Asia.
- Refining Profit Surge: Refining stocks such as PBF Energy and Valero Energy have seen significant gains in 2026, with the 3-2-1 crack spread soaring from $20 at the start of the year to over $58, indicating that Asian refiners are facing higher crude procurement costs due to product shortages from the Gulf.
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See More
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- Oil Price Surge: The International Energy Agency reports that 25% of the world's seaborne oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and its closure has led to a sharp increase in oil prices, destabilizing global energy markets, particularly affecting import-dependent nations.
- LNG Trade Disruption: Approximately 20% of global LNG trade passes through the Strait, and Iran's threats to energy infrastructure create uncertainty in LNG supply, potentially driving up global prices, especially pressuring the European market.
- Refining Sector Gains: Due to crude oil supply shortages, the refining crack spread has skyrocketed from $20 at the beginning of the year to $58, significantly boosting stocks of refining companies like PBF Energy and Valero Energy, indicating strong profit potential in the current market environment.
- Fertilizer Price Increases: The blockade of the Strait has left many fertilizer-laden ships stranded, causing fertilizer prices to soar, which poses a significant challenge for Asian and African countries reliant on Gulf fertilizers, prompting investors to focus on U.S. producers like CF Industries.
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Iran's Stance on War: Iran maintains a hardline stance regarding ongoing conflicts, indicating that war will continue despite external pressures.
Rejection of U.S. Proposals: The Iranian government has rejected the U.S. timeline for negotiations and proposals related to regional security.
Response to U.S. Actions: Iran's leadership has issued a lukewarm response to U.S. proposals, signaling a lack of interest in compromise.
Demand for Sovereignty: Iran emphasizes its demand for sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting its rights in the region amidst international tensions.
See More
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- Rich Reserves: The Raia field is estimated to hold over 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable reserves, with Equinor holding a 35% stake in partnership with Repsol Sinopec Brasil and Petrobras, ensuring a strategic foothold in the Brazilian market.
- Drilling Operations Initiated: Drilling operations have begun on the Valaris DS-17 drillship, with plans to drill six wells in the Raia area at a water depth of approximately 2,900 meters, laying the groundwork for future production.
- Strong Production Capacity: The project will feature a large floating production, storage, and offloading vessel capable of handling over 125,000 barrels per day of condensate and 16 million cubic meters per day of natural gas, with production expected to launch in 2028, potentially meeting 15% of Brazil's natural gas demand.
See More
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Trump's Remarks on Talks: President Donald Trump described the preliminary U.S.-Iran talks as "very, very good."
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See More
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- Project Acquisition: Equinor announced its acquisition of the 230 MW Esquina do Vento onshore wind project in Brazil, which will strengthen its integrated power portfolio in a core market, although financial terms were not disclosed, the project is expected to drive long-term growth potential for the company.
- Equipment Supply Agreement: Vestas will supply 51 turbines for the project, with installation expected to begin in March 2027 and all turbines slated for completion by year-end 2027, ensuring timely project commissioning to meet market demand.
- Long-term Service Agreement: Vestas will also be responsible for operation and maintenance under a 30-year service agreement, which not only ensures the long-term stable operation of the equipment but also provides Vestas with a continuous revenue stream, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Market Confidence: Vestas stated that the Esquina do Vento wind project sends a clear signal of confidence in Brazil's wind market and marks another step in the sector's recovery, with the project expected to generate enough electricity to power 520,000 homes, further promoting the adoption of renewable energy.
See More
