Topas pilot flow starts off Norway

Statoil ASA has begun production from its Topas discovery in the Norwegian North Sea in a pilot phase approved by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

Feb. 24, 2005

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Feb. 24 -- Statoil ASA has begun production from its Topas discovery in the Norwegian North Sea in a pilot phase approved by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

Statoil discovered Topas, which holds reserves of 10 million bbl, with a long well drilled from the Gullfaks C platform (OGJ Online, Dec. 10, 2004).

The well, 34/10-48S, is producing oil and associated gas through processing facilities on the C platform.

The pilot production should last no more than 6 months and recover 3 million bbl of oil. Statoil is working to extend production and might drill more wells to define the reservoir, depending on results of the pilot phase.