Statoil Bets on Technical Adjustments to Reverse Production Decline

Norway’s Statoil bets on a new compressors to increase production on the Kvitebjørn field in the North Sea. According to the company, the new machinery that is in operation since September 17 will increase production by 220 million boe and extend the field’s lifetime with eight years. 

‘The new compressor contributes to an increase in the recovery rate at the Kvitebjørn field from 55% to 70%,’ reads a note released on Monday. 

The original plan submitted in 2000 has been revised upwards, with Statoil’s officials considering the move a potential game changer not only for the field, but for the whole Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

"Many people don’t realise that these relatively small modules are able to contribute as much or more value as new fields and that they cost much less to develop because the platform is already in place,” Statoil brownfield projects senior vice president Terese Kvinge commented.  

Gas and condensate (light oil) from Kvitebjørn are piped to Kollsnes near Bergen and Mongstad further north respectively.