April 30, 2026
The first-ever installation of autonomous Density Activated Recovery (DAR™) technology was completed in the Johan Castberg field (Barents Sea, Norway) on April 9, commencing a groundbreaking field trial to optimize oil production while substantially minimizing produced water.
The DAR inflow control solution selectively limits high-water and high-gas zones to considerably reduce unwanted production and emissions associated with handling and processing. In collaboration between Welltec and Equinor, 40 DAR assemblies have been installed across 12 compartments in a 1,500-meter horizontal openhole section of a subsea well.
The autonomous functionality of DAR not only delivers optimized inflow distribution along the horizontal section but proactively reduces OPEX by eliminating diagnostics and intervention runs otherwise required for future reservoir management.
“Equinor is a long-standing client of more than 30 years for whom we deliver a range of products and services, and they continue to lead in the early adoption of new technologies that improve performance and reduce environmental impact”, says Tommy Eikeland, Chief Commercial Officer at Welltec.
“The installation of 40 DAR assemblies is a bold demonstration of Equinor’s leadership in practice, and a collaboration that turns ambition into measurable impact”, adds Eikeland.
Produced water handling and processing are among the largest operating expenditures in the oil and gas industry, with a conservative estimate putting global management costs at USD 20 billion in 2026, rising to more than USD 22 billion by 2031.1
The most effective way to manage produced water is to stop producing it
Chum Wai Hoe, Vice President WCS Sales
As fields mature, water production typically increases, intensifying the challenge. The management of higher volumes leads to higher energy consumption, operating costs, and emissions at a time when hydrocarbon output and revenues are declining.
In parallel, newer or “greenfield” sites can benefit from limiting the presence of corrosive water from day one of operation, reducing scaling risk and ultimately preserving system integrity for an extended well life.
DAR is the result of more than a decade of research, development, and testing to create a system that operates independently of fluid viscosity and velocity.
The dual-phase system installed in the Johan Castberg field is designed to suppress both water and gas inflow simultaneously.
Prior to the first deployment, stringent qualification and testing were carried out at Equinor’s state-of-the-art flow loop facility in Herøya, Norway.
“This technology is fundamentally reshaping how the industry approaches reservoir management for unwanted water or gas production and handling. After all, the most effective way to manage produced water is to stop producing it,” says Chum Wai Hoe, VP of Completion at Welltec.
¹ Mordor Intelligence, Oil and Gas Water Management Services Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends and Forecast (2026–2031).
About Welltec
Welltec® is a global technology company committed to optimizing energy for the future. Since our beginning in 1994, we’ve pioneered innovative solutions for oil and gas operators, rapidly expanding to become a leader in high-tech completion, intervention, and new energy solutions.
As the energy industry evolves, so does Welltec. Our solutions address the critical demands of today’s industry by focusing on three core areas: maximizing reservoir contact with advanced completion technologies; optimizing recovery through fast, efficient, lightweight intervention services; and minimizing environmental impact via sustainable energy solutions, including geothermal energy, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
With over 30 years of experience, Welltec and its partners are driving efficiency, operational excellence, and innovations that deliver lasting impact in energy.