The shelf in 2004 - Petroleum production
14/01/2005
Production of marketable petroleum reached a new peak in 2004, with a total of 263 million marketable Sm3 oil equivalents being produced. This is 1 million Sm3 o.e. more than the record year 2003.
Two new fields have come on stream during the year, Skirne and Kvitebjørn. For 2005 it is expected that another two will come on stream, Kristin and Urd.
The total production of petroleum in 2005 is expected to be 264 million Sm3 oil equivalents (o.e.) before rising again and peaking in 2008. It is expected that 1,390 million Sm3 o.e. will be produced during the five year period up to 2009. This is over 100 million Sm3 more than during the five year period 2000 - 2004.
The increase is caused by gas sales. In 2004 gas sales amounted to 78 billion Sm3; an increase of 4.8 billion from 2003 (+ 7%). Production of marketable gas is expected to rise for some years to come. The basis scenario prepared by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) includes an expectation that gas sales will increase from today's level to 120 billion Sm3 in 2011.
Oil production was lower last year than in previous years. 162.8 million Sm3 were produced and delivered in 2003, compared to 165.5 million the year before. The oil production for 2004 was 2.8 per cent lower than the NPD's last forecast.
The difference is largely due to the lack of production from Snorre and Vigdis in December 2004.
For 2005 the NPD is expecting oil production to be somewhat lower than in 2004; 160 million Sm3 (2,8 million barrels per day). It is expected that around 765 million Sm3 oil will be produced during the period 2005 - 2009. This is 100 million Sm3 less than in the previous five-year period.
Contact in the NPD:
Eldbjørg Vaage Melberg, tel +47 51876100
Updated: 04/12/2023
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