NORTH SEA'S SEPTEMBER OIL FLOW SLIPS A LITTLE

North Sea oil production fell to an average 4.36 million b/d in September from 4.46 million b/d in August.

Wood Mackenzie Consultants Ltd. said a major reason was scheduled maintenance work in Statfjord field on the Norway/U.K. boundary.

Denmark saw the rewards of infill drilling as oil production rose 12,000 b/d to a record average 170,000 b/d in September. Dan and Gorm fields gauged higher oil output, while Tyra field condensate production was lifted by increased gas sales.

Denmark's small Regnar and Valdemar fields went on stream near the end of September, leading Wood Mackenzie to predict a further rise in production for October (OGJ, Nov. 1, p. 26).

Norwegian production slipped to an average 2.24 million b/d in September from 2.34 million b/d in August.

Statfiord's U.K. partners were said to have completed payback of production to Norwegian partners after redetermination of Statfjord interests. U.K. partners had to refund an average 34,000 b/d in the year to Sept. 1.

U.K. offshore production averaged 1.93 million b/d in September, down slightly from 1.94 million b/d in August.

The fall, which occurred despite start of production from Scott field, was due largely to maintenance work in several fields.

U.K. onshore production topped 86,000 b/d for September, although down from August's 89,000 b/d. The September figure included new production from extended reach wells into the offshore reservoir of Wytch Farm field.

Netherlands oil production also increased-to 27,000 b/d in September from 24,000 b/d in August, due mainly to production start-up in Horizon field.

North Sea gas production rose to an average 8.53 bcfd for September from 6.98 bcfd in August. This was largely due to seasonal demand, Wood Mackenzie said.

U.K. gas flow rose from 3.54 bcfd in August to an average 4.34 bcfd in September. Hyde, Orwell, and Saltire fields produced first sales volumes during September.

Norwegian gas production rose by 530 MMcfd to an average 2.71 bcfd in September due to completion of maintenance work in Heimdal and Statfjord fields.

Dutch offshore gas production rose 150 MMcfd to an average 890 MMcfd. This was despite a closure of the Nogat pipeline system in September due to technical problems at the terminal.

Danish gas flow rose to an average 354 MMcfd in September from 262 MMcfd in August. Irish gas production fell to 233 MMcfd in September from 253 MMcfd in August.