Maria appraisal well confirms reserves potential

May 22, 2012
Wintershall is completing the drilling of an appraisal well on its Maria oil and gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea.

Offshore staff

OSLO, NorwayWintershall is completing the drilling of an appraisal well on its Maria oil and gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea.

The semisubBorgland Dolphin drilled well 6407/1-5 S (Maria North) in 297 m (974 ft) water depth in license 475 BS, 8 km (4.9 mi) northeast of the 2010 discovery and 20 km (12.4 mi) east of the producing Kristin field.

According to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, the delineation well encountered a 39-m (128-ft) thick oil column in the Garn formation with reservoir quality as expected.

The oil/water contact was the same as in the discovery well, with pressure data indicating north to south communication. A formation test over a short reservoir interval yielded maximum production rates of 140 cm/d (4,944 cf/d) of oil and 20,300 cm/d (716,888 cf/d) of gas.

Partner Centrica says analysis suggests reserves at the top of the range attributed to the discovery well (60-120 MMboe of oil and 10-30 MMboe of gas).

The licensees plan to assess development solutions.

5/22/2012