According to Norway's gas system operator Gassco, the plan to restart the country's biggest gas field Troll in the North Sea was delayed because of maintenance work. As a result, the gas output from Norway would be reduced by 35 million cubic meters per day starting Saturday.

The Troll Gas Field is operated by Statoil, accounts for nearly a third of total gas production in the continental shelf of Norway in 2012. It is able to feed gas at 145 million cubic meters per day at Kollsnes Gas Plant.

The plan has been off line since last Friday and the gas deliveries to the Kollsnes plant were at very low levels to allow the plant to return to normal operations. 

After Russia, Norway is the second largest gas supplier in Europe, supplying about 20% of total European Union needs. Locally, Statoil manages 80% of the Norwegian gas sales throughout the country.