The Norwegian Parliament has approved plans to develop the Tyrihans field, located around 170 kilometers offshore in the Haltenbanken area of the Norwegian Sea in 285 meters of water. Total has a 21.51% interest in the field and is partnered with Statoil (46.8%, operator), Norsk Hydro (12%), ExxonMobil (11.75%) and Eni (7.9%).

The project includes the simultaneous subsea development of two structures, one for oil and natural gas (Tyrihans North) and the other for condensate (Tyrihans South). The wells will be tied to processing facilities in the nearby Kristin field, in which Total also has an interest. After separation, the liquids will be exported via the existing terminal of Åsgard and the gas will be piped to the Kårstø plant with output from Kristin.

Production at Tyrihans is scheduled to begin in 2009 and is expected to reach an initial plateau of around 70,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2011.

Together with its recent acquisition of an additional 30% interest in the Victoria discovery, the development of Tyrihans strengthens Total’s position in Norway and consolidates its growth base in the Haltenbanken area of the Norwegian Sea.