Wintershall Dea and its partners have started production from the Dvalin gas field located in production licence 435 in the central part of the Norwegian Sea.

Expected to deliver substantial new gas volumes to the European market ahead of winter demand, the Dvalin field has been developed as a satellite of the Heidrun platform.

Production at the field initially started in 2020, but it was put on hold after a few months following the discovery of high levels of mercury in the well stream.

As a result, mercury removal units were installed at the processing plants at Nyhamna and Tjeldbergodden located in mid-Norway.

The Dvalin field is expected to have production capacity enough to generate sufficient energy to heat more than two million households.

Wintershall Dea chief operating officer Dawn Summers said: “We are aware that in the winter months European demand for gas will rise, and the continent will be looking to Norway to be the supplier of choice. We have worked hard to ensure Dvalin will be onstream safely, and are satisfied that the field will make a significant contribution to European energy security.”

The Dvalin field, including the Dvalin North field, is expected to have an operational life lasting until 2038.

Planned to start production in late 2026, the Dvalin North field is currently being developed as a tie-back to the Heidrun platform through the Dvalin field.

Wintershall Dea operates the Dvalin field with a stake of 55% while its partners Petoro and Sval Energi hold stakes of 35% and 10%, respectively.