The Ekofisk oil field began commercial production in 1971. It lies in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea and became one of Norway’s most important petroleum developments.
Phillips Petroleum discovered Ekofisk in 1969 after drilling exploration well 2/4-1. Production started on 15 June 1971, helping establish Norway as a major offshore oil and gas producer. The field is located in the greater Ekofisk area, which includes several related discoveries and platforms.
Ekofisk crude was initially transported through pipelines to Teesside in the United Kingdom. The field’s development required offshore platforms, subsea infrastructure, export pipelines, and methods for managing the soft chalk reservoir beneath the seabed.
Ekofisk is sometimes confused with Brent or Forties, two major British-sector North Sea fields that also became closely associated with regional oil production and benchmark terminology. Ekofisk is specifically notable as the first producing field on the Norwegian continental shelf and remains active decades after its opening.