NORTH SEA PRODUCTION HITS RECORD IN OCTOBER

North Sea oil production surged to an all time high in October, averaging 4.94 million b/d. This was driven by record output from Norway and Denmark and a resurgence in U.K. production. Surging North Sea production has been cited as a key factor in a worldwide crude surplus blamed for the recent slide in oil prices (OGJ, Dec. 6, Newsletter). North Sea natural gas flow also registered big gains in the period.

Dec. 20, 1993

3 min read

North Sea oil production surged to an all time high in October, averaging 4.94 million b/d.

This was driven by record output from Norway and Denmark and a resurgence in U.K. production. Surging North Sea production has been cited as a key factor in a worldwide crude surplus blamed for the recent slide in oil prices (OGJ, Dec. 6, Newsletter).

North Sea natural gas flow also registered big gains in the period.

BREAKOUT OF OIL OUTPUT

Norwegian crude oil and natural gas liquids production rose from 2.24 million b/d in September to an average 2.56 million b/d in October. This beat a previous high of 2.47 million b/d average achieved in July.

Wood Mackenzie Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh, cited the return of Statfjord and Snorre fields to full production after maintenance. Also, Brage field came on stream in September and averaged 43,000 b/d output in October, while Draugen field produced an average 10,000 b/d in its first month.

U.K. oil production saw a 220,000 b/d rebound to an average 2.25 million b/d for October. This included 85,000 b/d of production from onshore fields. Return of fields to production after maintenance and production from new fields were behind the return (OGJ, Nov. 1, p. 23).

Danish oil production set a record for the second consecutive month. The September peak of 170,000 b/d was surpassed by 177,000 b/d in October. This was said to be due to Regnar field, which started production Sept. 27 and averaged 9,000 b/d in October.

Oil production off the Netherlands rose from September's 27,000 b/d average to 37,000 b/d for October. This was attributed to new production from F3-FB field, which started mid-October and is expected to reach 18,000 b/d next year.

GAS PRODUCTION

Norwegian gas production averaged 3.27 bcfd in October, up from 2.74 bcfd in September. Gas from Norway accounted for 6% of U.K.'s average 7.1 bcfd demand in October.

U.K. gas production averaged 6.69 bcfd in October, up from 4.53 bcfd in September. Bruce, Scott, Ann, Caister, and Murdoch fields all produced first gas in October.

Dutch offshore gas production rose from September's 860 MMcfd to 1.67 bcfd in October. This was helped by the return to transmission of Nogat pipeline and production from four new Dutch gas fields.

Danish gas production increased slightly to average 362 MMcfd in October. Irish gas production increased 17% to average 272 MMcfd during October.