Wintershall and its partners Petoro and Centrica have been given approval by the Norwegian government for the development and operation (PDO) of the Maria field.
The German producer’s plan involves two subsea templates located on the ocean floor tied back to several host installations in the area.
Project director Hugo Dijkgraaf, said: “This is another important landmark for Wintershall in Norway. In a challenging oil price environment, we are moving ahead with the execution of this key development project.
“Through Maria we are investing in one of our core international regions which demonstrates our commitment on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.”
The Maria well stream will go to the Kristin platform for processing while supply of water for injection into the reservoir will come from the Heidrun platform and lift gas will be provided from Åsgard B via the Tyrihans D field subsea template.
Processed oil will be shipped to the Åsgard field for storage and offloading to shuttle tankers. Gas will be exported via the Åsgard Transport System to Kårstø.
Contracts have already been awarded for the Maria project including the subsea production system to FMC Kongsberg and the contract for pipeline and subsea construction to Subsea 7.
Investments in the Maria development are estimated at around NOK15.3billion. Estimates suggest it will produce around 180 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) after it starts up in 2018.
Maria is located 20km east of the Kristin field and about 45km south of the Heidrun field in the Halten Terrace in the Norwegian Sea.
Wintershall is operator with a 50%* share. Petoro has a 30% share and Centrica 20%.