The plan for development and operation (PDO) of Statoil's Glitne oil field has been approved by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
This North Sea discovery is due to come on stream next summer from the Petrojarl I production ship, which has been chartered for two-three years – depending on how long profitable output can be maintained.
Before the vessel goes to Glitne, extensive modifications and upgrading work are planned for its processing equipment and hull.
The field lies in block 15/5 in the Sleipner area, with a small section extending into Esso's 15/6 block. Under an agreement between the two licences, the Glitne licensees will buy oil produced from this extension.
A PDO has been drawn up for the field at express speed, reports project manager Svein Løining.
"To bring Glitne on stream by next summer, Byford Dolphin is due to spud the first of three production and two water injection wells within the coming week," he says.
Roughly 25 million barrels of oil can be recovered from Glitne, which will have a plateau production of 40,000 barrels per day.
Statoil has 38.9 per cent of the licence, with the state's direct financial interest (SDFI) holding 30 per cent, Elf Petroleum Norge 21.8 per cent and Norsk Hydro Produksjon 9.3 per cent.