Dana Petroleum reports first oil from North Sea field

The new field will initially produce about 5,500 barrels of oil per day

Production has started at a recently discovered oil field in the UK Northern North Sea.

Aberdeen-based Dana Petroleum said Cormorant East would produce about 5,500 barrels of oil per day initially.

Dana has a 20% stake in the field, which was formerly known as the Contender prospect.

A Field Development Plan (FDP) for Cormorant East was approved by the Department of Energy and Climate Change last year.

Production will be processed at the Taqa-operated North Cormorant platform, before being sent to the Sullom Voe terminal for sale.

Taqa, which is an Abu Dhabi government-controlled energy company, has a 60% interest in the field.

Cormorant East's other participants include Dana (20%), Antrim Resources (8.4%), First Oil Expro (7.6%) and Granby Enterprises (4%).

Dana UK managing director Paul Griffin said: "We continue to invest in the North Sea by searching out new exploration and production opportunities.

"Cormorant East is a welcome addition to our portfolio of non-operated assets."