Apache Corporation has confirmed plans to achieve first oil from the Garten field during the current quarter.
The Houston-headquarter firm announced the discovery of Garten in March and originally expected to start production in the first quarter of 2019.
But in its third quarter results announcement, Apache said it could bring the field on stream just seven months after its discovery.
Garten, 100% owned by Apache, is being tied back to the Beryl Alpha platform.
The field is expected to pump out more than 10 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
Apache produced 51,000 boe per day in the North Sea during the third quarter, down slightly from the second quarter due to scheduled turnaround maintenance.
Production is expected to increase in the fourth quarter, as the company brought its fourth development well online in the Callater field in September.
Apache started production from Callater in May 2017.
Callater, formerly known as the “K discovery”, is located about 210 miles north-east of Aberdeen, within the Beryl area.
Apache has a 55% working interest in Callater, while Chrysaor has the remaining 45%.
Group revenues totalled £1.5 billion during the third quarter, up from £1.2bn last year.
Pre-tax profits rocketed to £315m from £72m.
Chief executive John Christmann said: “As we head into 2019, we are well positioned to generate sustainable liquids production growth and positive free cash flow, while maintaining flexibility to respond quickly to changing industry conditions.”
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