Production partially resumes from Snorre B

No connection has been proven between formation of the pit and well after a pit was discovered at a subsea template at Snorre B platform on 17 May, Statoil said today.

On Thursday, an injection test was performed in the well that is tied in to the subsea template. The test confirmed that there is no communication between the well and the pit.

Statoil said that analysis of sediment samples also revealed no sign of hydrocarbon content.

No movement has been observed since Monday in the pit near the subsea template. The subsea template is still being monitored continuously with a remotely operated underwater vehicle.

Related: Statoil evacuates Snorre after seabed movement

Since it is not confirmed there is a connection between formation of the pit and the well, other explanations are being examined.

“None of these is considered to be a serious factor as regards the technical integrity of the subsea template or the wells. Production from the template will remain shut in until further examinations have been concluded. The other production from Snorre B has now resumed,” Statoil said in a press release.

On Monday, 33 people were moved over to the Safe Scandinavia, and then transported onshore as a precautionary measure after movement and hydrocarbon indications were observed in the pit. In connection with this, the emergency response organisation was mobilised, and then demobilised the same evening