Wintershall Holdings GMBH and its partners brought Maria oil and natural gas field on stream offshore Norway, starting production a year ahead of schedule. Anticipated peak production is more than 100,000 boe/d. Maria is 20 km east of Kristin field and 45 km south of Heidrun field.
The operator is Wintershall Norge with a 50% share. Petoro has 30% interest and Spirit Energy 20% interest (OGJ Online, Oct. 7, 2014).
The companies reduced project costs by more than 20% compared with the expected final investment cost of around 12 billion kroner.
Maria is Wintershall's first owner-operated field in Norway. Wintershall handled the field from exploration through development to production.
Executives say experience gained in the Maria project will serve as a blueprint for the Nova development-previously known as Skarfjell-as well as other projects worldwide.
Wintershall awarded more than 90% of Maria contracts to companies based in Norway.
The subsea Maria field in the Haltenbanken area of the Norwegian Sea is connected via subsea tiebacks to the Statoil-operated Kristin, Heidrun, and Asgard B production platforms.
Maria's production will go to the Kristin platform for processing while supply of water for injection into the reservoir will come from the Heidrun platform.
Lift gas will be provided from Asgard B via the Tyrihans subsea template. Processed oil will be shipped to Asgard field for storage and offloading to shuttle tankers. Gas will be exported via the Asgard Transport System to Karsto.
