Statoil and its partner Petoro have decided to further develop Gullfaks South in the North Sea by investing $10.6 billion in two new subsea templates and six extra wells. This will boost recovery by 65 MMboe.

Increasing recovery from Gullfaks South will be implemented as part of Statoil's fast-track developments.

"By using the fast-track concept, with standardized solutions and consistent teams in one project, we will improve recovery in an effective manner," said Halfdan Knudsen, vice president for fast-track projects on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Production in parts of Gullfaks South was shut down in 2008 to maintain an acceptable pressure level in the reservoir for future drilling operations.

Existing wells are being reopened in the course of 2012. And new wells will also be drilled from existing seabed templates on Gullfaks South.

Recovery will be increased further with the fast-track concept and production start-up is planned from 2014.

Two available well slots will provide flexibility and further reserves could be realized. The project will help to utilize spare processing capacity and extend the lifetime of Gullfaks A beyond 2030.