Oil and gas company OKEA has started production from the Hasselmus gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea.

Hasselmus, which is a subsea tie-back to the Draugen platform, is set to produce 4,400 barrels of oil equivalent per day at its peak.

The gas project will start the export of related gas and natural gas liquids from Draugen platform and is expected to recover around 1.65 million cubic metres of natural gas.  

The Hasselmus gas discovery is 7km north-west of the Draugen platform and on the western boundary of the Trøndelag platform in the Norwegian Sea.

OKEA acquired the Draugen field assets from Norske Shell in late 2018.

Norske Shell drilled a single well (6407/9-9 T2) on the Hasselmus structure in 1999.

At a depth of 1,700m, it discovered a gas column measuring 16m and an oil column of 6.8m in high-quality sands.

OKEA is the operator of the Hasselmus project and the Draugen licence, with a 44.56% working interest.

Its partners include Petoro and M Vest Energy, who control 47.88% and 7.56% working interest, respectively.

In June 2021, OKEA and partners decided to proceed with the development of the Hasselmus gas discovery.

OKEA CEO Svein Liknes said: “The Hasselmus project is the first development project for OKEA as operator. The project is important for the long-term development of Draugen and demonstrates our ability to extend the life of mature fields to maximize value creation on the NCS [Norwegian Continental Shelf].

“We appreciate the good collaboration with our partners, suppliers and a dedicated organisation, which has enabled the delivery of the project ahead of schedule and below budget.”

In August this year, DNO, a Norwegian energy company, agreed to transfer the operatorship of the Brasse oil and gas discovery in production license 740 to OKEA.

Located in the northern part of the North Sea, the Brasse discovery will be tied back to the Brage field, which is located 13km north of Brasse.