By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 26 -- Statoil ASA said it can start permanent production from its Gimle oil and gas find in the Norwegian North Sea as soon as it receives approval from the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE).
Statoil submitted an application Jan. 20 to MPE, which previously approved pilot production from Gimle (OGJ Online, Feb. 24, 2005). The field has produced almost 2 million bbl in the pilot phase.
Gimle, formerly Topas, lies in the Tampen area between Gullfaks and Visund oil fields. The discovery well was drilled from and tied back to the Gullfaks C platform.
Two other wells from Gullfaks C to the Gimle structure might be drilled: a water injector in 2006 and a producer in 2007. Reserves recoverable through this scheme are estimated at 25 million bbl of oil and 1 billion standard cu m of gas.
The Gimle find straddles two licenses. The owners have agreed to establish a Gimle Unit, with Statoil as operator and ownership different from that of Gullfaks. Gimle owners have entered a tieback and processing agreement with the Gullfaks license.
The partners in Gimle are Statoil 30.07%, Norsk Hydro AS 29%, Petoro AS 16.93%, ConocoPhillips 13%, and Total SA 11%.
