Norwegian oil production up 6 percent from May

Total Norwegian production of oil and associated byproducts was 6 percent higher in June than the previous month, the government said Tuesday.

The Norwegian Petroleum Director said preliminary data for June show an average production of around 1.74 million barrels of oil, natural gas liquids and condensate, which is about 100,000 bpd, or 6 percent, higher than May.

NPD said, on average, oil production was 1.38 million bpd, with NGL and condensate accounting for the remaining volumes. For oil, NPD said output was 5 percent below what it had expected for June but 1.5 percent above production levels from June 2013.

NPD, the energy industry's regulator, blamed planned maintenance and technical problems at six fields on the continental shelf for the lower-than-expected output for June. Production at the Njord A platform, however, resumed July 19 after its platform was reinforced, ending a year-long shutdown.

For the year, the agency said oil production was 1 percent above what it had expected.

Norway has more oil reserves than any other European country. Last year, it exported 1.19 million bpd worth of oil, with most of that headed to the British and Dutch economies.