The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has enabled increased gas production from the offshore Oseberg, Troll and Heidrun fields in Norway to meet gas demand in Europe.
The ministry has approved applications for revised production permits for the three fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), which will produce at almost maximum capacities.
According to the Norwegian government, the approved applications will not ramp up daily total Norwegian gas production. However, they will contribute towards sustaining the export volumes of Norwegian gas that are currently high.
The Oseberg field in the North Sea has been producing since 1988. It is operated by Equinor. The Troll field, which is also located in the North Sea, has been producing since 1995. It is operated by Equinor as well. The Heidrun field is another field that is operated by Equinor. Located in the Norwegian Sea, the field has been producing since 1995.
Equinor said that the adjusted production permits from the government will let the Oseberg field boost its gas exports by nearly one billion cubic metres in the period up to 30 September 2022.
Gas exports for the Heidrun field can be increased by 0.4 billion cubic metres for the calendar year 2022, said the Norwegian oil and gas firm.
Production from the Troll field can be ramped up to a maximum of one billion cubic metres of gas if there is a loss of production on other fields in the area, said the company.
The ministry stated that Norway supplies 20% to 25% of the gas consumed in the European Union (EU) and the UK via an extensive network of offshore pipelines.
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