The Norwegian Offshore Directorate released its production figures for August on Tuesday, reporting a surge in crude oil output, while natural gas output declined, based on preliminary figures.
Average oil production was 1.882 million barrels per day in August, up 5.5% from 1.784 million barrels per day in July. Output was 4.4% above the directorate's own forecast of 1.803 million barrels per day, but was down 3.8% year-over-year, from 1.956 million barrels per day last year.
Total gas output averaged 342 million standard cubic meters per day in August, down 2.8% from 351.7 million Sm3 per day in July and 1.9% below the forecast of 348.6 million Sm3 per day. This was 2.5% higher than the 333.8 million Sm3 per day reported for August last year.
Total gas sales were 10.6 billion Sm3 during August, down 0.3 billion Sm3 from the previous month.