Production on Snorre B started up on Wednesday evening, two months before schedule.
Production, which commenced from well C-5 , increased in the course of the first few hours to a rate equivalent to more than 20,000 barrels per day. The start-up went very well, without any difficulties or mishaps.
This means that Snorre B has come on stream two months ahead of schedule. Offshore installation manager Kjell Skjervheim says that the early start is due to the fact that completion was already well advanced as the platform was towed into position.
"We are not aware of any other platform where so much work has been carried out on land. We have achieved this thanks to the excellent work efforts of all involved, both in Hydro and at our suppliers."
During the next few days a further two wells will come on stream, bringing production up to an expected level of 70,000 barrels per day.