Dvalin commercial production delayed
- System start-up without any safety or environmental incidents, first gas flow achieved in 2020
- Mitigation measures launched
During the production flow test of the Dvalin production wells, measurements showed that the gas flow contained a level of mercury which exceeded the maximum amount allowed in the system. Consequently, the Dvalin field’s commercial gas production will be delayed.
The drilling of the Dvalin production wells started in August 2019 and was finalised in the third quarter last year. As planned, the system start-up was successful, the offshore infrastructure was functioning as expected and first gas flow was achieved in late 2020. During the production flow test the measured mercury levels were higher than in the exploration phase ten years ago. However, the Dvalin wells proved good reservoir quality and confirmed the reserves as stated in the PDO. The Dvalin reserves therefore remain unaffected by the mercury issue.
Wintershall Dea together with its project partners, have commenced studies to identify a technical solution to enable full production, including the application of established industry mercury removal solutions. Until an appropriate remediation solution is implemented, the gas flow from the field will be curtailed.
About Dvalin
Dvalin is a Wintershall Dea operated gas field in the central part of the Norwegian Sea, north of the Heidrun facility, consisting of two separate structures: Dvalin East and Dvalin West. The water depth is 400 metres. The development concept is a subsea template with four gas producers tied back to the Heidrun platform. The well stream is transported to the Heidrun platform for processing in a new dedicated gas processing module and exported to Nyhamna via a new pipeline from Heidrun connecting to the Polarled pipeline.
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