Norway-focused independent Lundin Energy has started crude production from an extended well test (EWT) at the Rolvsnes field in the Norwegian North Sea.

An appraisal well — which was initially drilled in 2018 and flowed at 7,000 b/d during testing — has been converted to a development well and tied back to the Lundin-operated Edvard Grieg platform, located 3km away.

Rolvsnes is a 14mn-78mn bl of oil equivalent (boe) "weathered and fractured basement" oil discovery. The purpose of the extended well test is to investigate reservoir properties, connectivity and the long-term production performance of the field.

If successful, the test could unlock a full field development, thereby extending the plateau production period for the Edvard Grieg platform, which is one of Lundin's strategic priorities, according to chief executive Nick Walker.

The company said it could submit a full field development plan for Rolvsnes by the end of 2022 once sufficient data and production experience has been gathered. Lundin operates the Rolvsnes licence with an 80pc stake. Austria's OMV holds the remaining 20pc.