Norway’s Gas Production Continues to Decrease in June

Norway’s gas production decreased in June for the third consecutive month, with preliminary figures indicating that production levels are lower than expected. 

‘Total gas sales were about 7.4 billion Sm3, which is 0.7 GSm3 less than the previous month,’ reads a note released on Tuesday. 

As for May, June production was also lower than 12 months before.

Despite encountering significant hurdles, Norway is stepping up efforts to increase gas production.

Earlier this week, Statoil announced achievements in the Valemon field, one of the stand-alone development projects on the Norwegian continental shelf. A 9,750-tonne topsides produced by Samsung Heavy Industries was lifted into place on the steel jacket on Monday. 

“This is a major milestone for the project, the most important milestone of course being start-up towards the end of the year,” Bjørn Laastad, vice president for Valemon field development, commented.

Cables and pipelines connecting the field to Heimdal and Kvitebjørn have already been laid on the seabed.  

“Some work remains before we are ready for start-up, but we are on track,” says Laastad. 

According to Statoil’s website, commission work will take place on the field in the next months. Gas and condensate from Valemon will be exported to the gas markets in Europe from Heimdal. 

Earlier this year, Statoil announced it intends to increase recovery from Troll A platform in the North Sea, doubling the amount of compressors on the platform.