Marathon Oil Norge AS announced it has taken over the role as operator for the Vilje field in production licence (PL) 036 D. Vilje is a producing oil field located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of the Marathon operated Alvheim field.
The Vilje field is developed with two subsea wells connected to the Alvheim floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Gross Vilje production available for sale during the first quarter of 2012 averaged 32,200 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day, of which 15,100 boe per day was net to Marathon Oil.
“To become operator for a third producing field on the Norwegian Continental Shelf is an important milestone for Marathon Oil,” said Richard Miller, acting Resident Manager in Marathon Oil Norge AS.
“Together with our partners, we have completed a thorough process in connection with the transfer of the operatorship. We are ready to take over as operator and are appreciative of the confidence which the partners have in Marathon,” Miller said.
The Vilje partners have taken the investment decision to develop Vilje Sør. This development consists of a standard subsea template with one single production well. The plan is to start drilling with the drilling rig Transocean Winner in the spring of 2013 and do completion work in the fall the same year. First production is expected in late 2013.
The licensees in PL 036 D are Marathon Oil Norge AS with 46.904 percent working interest, Statoil Petroleum AS with 28.853 percent and Total E & P Norge AS with 24.243 percent working interest.
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Press Release, October 03, 2012