Increasing domestic natural gas production – ORLEN enhances extraction capacity
ORLEN has successfully completed the construction of a natural gas compressor station at the Kościan-Brońsko Natural Gas Production Site in the Province of Poznań. The launch of the compressor unit will increase total output from existing deposits by approximately 10 billion cubic metres, thus extending the field’s lifespan by more than a decade.
“Expanding domestic natural gas production is a strategic priority for ORLEN and a cornerstone of securing an uninterrupted supply for our customers across Poland. Alongside exploring for new deposits, we are intensifying production from existing fields to optimise the utilisation of our operational infrastructure. The construction of the compressor station at Kościan-Brońsko exemplifies the success of this approach. Leveraging the expertise, knowledge, and advanced technologies within the ORLEN Group, we are continuously strengthening our upstream segment. The integration of previously fragmented domestic production assets into ORLEN Upstream Polska further supports this effort,” said Wiesław Prugar, Member of the ORLEN Management Board for Upstream.
This project incorporates several synergies, including the recovery of process heat, a solution that helps advance the long-term objectives of ORLEN’s energy transition strategy. This innovation allows for the decommissioning of the existing gas boiler plant, reducing gas consumption for heating and driving operational efficiency.
Discovered between 1995 and 1998, the Kościan and Brońsko fields began natural gas production in 2002. Initially estimated at approximately 35 billion cubic metres, the reserves of these fields are now entering a new phase of extraction with the commissioning of the compressor station, marking a milestone for the largest natural gas complex in the Polish Lowlands.
The ORLEN Group conducts exploration and production operations across four continents. In Europe, it operates in Poland, Norway, Lithuania, and Ukraine; in North America, it has assets in Canada; in Asia, it is active in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates; and in Africa, it holds operations in Libya. As at the end of 2023, ORLEN’s proven hydrocarbon reserves totalled approximately 1.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe). The Company manages approximately 360 licenses spanning 239 fields. In 2023, ORLEN’s domestic natural gas production reached around 3.4 billion cubic metres, meeting 20% of Poland’s demand. Combined production from both domestic and international assets amounted to 7.1 billion cubic metres, covering 42% of the country’s natural gas requirements.
