Wintershall Dea gets all-clear for Norwegian field launch

Norwegian authorities have given Germany's Wintershall Dea the all-clear to launch production at the Nova field in the North Sea, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) said on June 30.

Nova will commence oil production on around July 31, while its water injection system will be completed. At a later stage the project will also flow commercial gas, however.

The field's production will be routed to the Gjoa platform for processing. Oil will be pumped further through the Troll oil pipeline II to the Mongstad terminal, while its gas will be exported via the Far North Liquids and Associated Gas System pipeline to St Fergus in the UK.

"We're glad to see that Nova is ready for production to start. Nova will help utilise available capacity in existing infrastructure and ensure extended operation of the Gjøa platform, which is the only hub in the north-eastern part of the North Sea," the NPD said.