German oil firm Wintershall has applied to bring forward production on the Maria development in the Norwegian North Sea.
The Norwegian Environmental Protection Agency has received an application asking for permits to start work later this year, rather than in 2018.
Maria is built with two seabed frames that will be attached to the installations Kristin, Heidrun and Åsgard B.
The well flow from Maria will go to the Kristin platform for processing, while water for injection into the reservoir comes from the Heidrun platform.
Lift gas is supplied from Åsgard B via Tyrihan D. Processed oil is transferred to the Åsgard field for storage and loading to shuttle tankers.
The gas will be exported through Åsgard transport system to Kårstø.
Wintershall’s application includes the use and discharge of hydraulic fluid and chemicals used for inspection, maintenance and possibly well interventions.
Consumption and discharges of chemicals related to the production of Maria, which occurs on Kristin, and possibly Heidrun and Åsgard B will be covered by the permits belonging to these fields, and Statoil as an operator is obliged to ensure that these are updated.
Start-up of production is estimated to occur by the end of 2017.