NORWEGIAN OIL PRODUCTION HITS RECORD IN APRIL

Norwegian crude oil and condensate production averaged a record 2.44 million b/d in April, a rise of 13,000 b/d from March levels, according to Wood Mackenzie Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh. Total U.K. oil production averaged 1.75 million b/d in April, with 1.72 million b/d from offshore fields and 31,000 b/d onshore. This compared with a total 1.69 million b/d in March. Brent oil field production fell 66,000 b/d to 191,000 b/d as a 6 month maintenance program began to prepare four platforms for

June 28, 1993

2 min read

Norwegian crude oil and condensate production averaged a record 2.44 million b/d in April, a rise of 13,000 b/d from March levels, according to Wood Mackenzie Consultants Ltd., Edinburgh.

Total U.K. oil production averaged 1.75 million b/d in April, with 1.72 million b/d from offshore fields and 31,000 b/d onshore. This compared with a total 1.69 million b/d in March.

Brent oil field production fell 66,000 b/d to 191,000 b/d as a 6 month maintenance program began to prepare four platforms for redevelopment (OGJ, Apr. 12, p. 28).

Brent output will bottom out at 150,000 b/d in June, said Wood Mackenzie.

Denmark's oil and condensate production fell from 163,000 b/d in March to 159,000 b/d in April.

This was said to be due to reduced output from Gorm and Skjold fields and lower condensate production from Tyra due to seasonally lower gas demand.

Liquids production off the Netherlands increased 1,000 b/d to average 28,000 b/d in April.

GAS OVERVIEW

Norwegian gas production fell to 2.63 bcfd in April from 2.68 bcfd in March.

This was due to reduced output from Ekofisk area and Statfjord and Valhall fields, said Wood Mackenzie.

U.K. gas demand fell from 8.05 bcfd in March to 5.53 bcfd in April. Norwegian imports were said to account for 8% of supplies.

The analyst said the British Gas plc share of the market fell from 98% to 90% in the past year as a result of Anglia, Beryl, Gannet, Welland, Pickerill, and Miller fields output being supplied to direct marketers and to power stations.

Dutch offshore gas production increased 77 MMcfd on March to average 2.04 bcfd in April.

Danish gas production fell 27% from the March average to 333 MMcfd, while Irish output fell 14% to average 243 MMcfd in April.