Norwegian energy company Statoil said Friday it found more gas in part of a field it discovered two years ago in the North Sea.

Statoil said it made the discovery in what it calls Valemon West, part of the larger fragmented Valemon gas field in the North Sea.

The discovery was made in an area not previously known to hold hydrocarbons. Gunnar Nakken, a vice president for regional development at Statoil, said the new discovery boosts the overall potential for Valemon.

"These new reserves can be put on stream immediately and will add considerable value," he said in a statement. "The discovery proves that there are still good opportunities in the North Sea -- an area we know well -- and its infrastructure is extensive."

Norway is among the leading oil and natural gas suppliers to the European market outside of Russia. The government reported total gas sales in December were up marginally from the previous month.

Natural gas from the Valemon field in the North Sea is sent through existing pipeline infrastructure to onshore hubs for further transportation to the European market.

The company brought the Valemon natural gas and condensate field into production in early 2015.

The North Sea platform has accommodations for as many as 40 workers. Long-term, the facility will be unmanned and operated remotely from the Norwegian shore.