PLATFORM SHUTDOWNS FOR SUMMER MAINTENANCE TRIM N. SEA PRODUCTION

Norwegian oil and natural gas liquids production averaged 2.35 million b/d in August, a little off the pace of July's record 2.47 million b/d. The decline was due to scheduled maintenance on several platforms. Wood Mackenzie Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh, reported Den norske stats oljeselskap AS shut down Statfjord B platform Aug. 7-22, while Elf Petroleum Norge AS reduced Heimdal field flow July 29-Aug.17. Production from Ula platform, operated by BP Norway Ltd. UA, was lower due to a 3 day

Oct. 11, 1993

3 min read

Norwegian oil and natural gas liquids production averaged 2.35 million b/d in August, a little off the pace of July's record 2.47 million b/d.

The decline was due to scheduled maintenance on several platforms.

Wood Mackenzie Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh, reported Den norske stats oljeselskap AS shut down Statfjord B platform Aug. 7-22, while Elf Petroleum Norge AS reduced Heimdal field flow July 29-Aug.17.

Production from Ula platform, operated by BP Norway Ltd. UA, was lower due to a 3 day shutdown for repair of four corroded well-heads Wood Mackenzie said.

Norwegian gas production fell by 120 MMcfd to average 2.21 bcfd in August. This was attributed to maintenance on Elf's Heimdal and Frigg fields.

U.K. oil and NGL production averaged 2.03 million b/d in August, including 86,000 b/d onshore. The total was a slight increase from July's 2.02 million b/d average.

Most U.K. offshore fields have returned to full capacity following the summer shutdown season, Wood Mackenzie said. Shell U.K. Exploration & Production saw Brent production fall 74,000 b/d in August when production from A and B platforms was interrupted by maintenance.

Four 1993 start-ups--Bruce, Hudson, Lyell, and Saltire fields--were said to have boosted U.K. production back above the 2 million b/d mark. With Amerada Hess Ltd. placing Scott field on stream Sept. 1, offshore oil production is forecast to reach 2.5 million b/d by yearend.

NATURAL GAS

U.K gas demand for August averaged 3.85 bcfd compared 3.34 bcfd in July and only 2.14 bcfd in August 1992. Norwegian gas imports met 8% of August demand.

Audrey and Indefatigable fields registered reduced volumes because of maintenance work, while ARCO British Ltd. saw first gas from Orwell field Aug. 3. During August, Orwell was said to be producing only at test rates.

Oil and NGL produced off Netherlands remained at an average 25,000 b/d for August. Horizon oil field was placed on stream Aug. 17 by Unocal Netherlands BV. Initial production was estimated at 4,000 b/d, with a peak level of 18,000 b/d expected in 1994.

Dutch offshore gas production averaged 717 MMcfd in August, down from 814 MMcfd in July. Wood Mackenzie said no gas flowed through the Nogat pipeline because of problems at the terminal, while Q/8 field was shut down for 23 days for unscheduled maintenance.

Danish oil and NGL production fell from 162,000 b/d in July to average 158,000 b/d in August. Danish gas flow rose from 220 MMcfd in July to average 262 MMcfd in August.

Irish gas production rose from 243 MMcfd in July to an average 253 MMcfd in August.