Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway – Wintershall Norge has found gas/condensate with its Rodriguez exploration well in the Norwegian Sea.
Well 6407/1-6 S was drilled by the semisubmersibleTransocean Arctic in 291 m (955 ft) water depth on license PL 475, 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of the producing Tyrihans field and 8 km (4.9 mi) southeast of the 6406/3-8 oil/gas discovery.
According to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, the well encountered gas/condensate in three thin sandstone (Lower Cretaceous) intervals in the Lange formation, with a gross reservoir thickness of 52 m (170 ft).
Partner Faroe Petroleum says the find could be in the 19-126 MMboe range.
This was the first well on the license, awarded early in 2008, and further appraisal will be needed to establish Rodriguez’s lateral extent and size.
Faroe is also a partner in theFogelberg gas discovery, which is progressing toward a development decision. Timing should coincide with gas export capacity becoming available in the Norwegian pipeline system in a few years time.
The company points out that the Norwegian authorities have proposed a significant reduction in gas transportation tariffs for new gas field developments. Consultations are due to be completed by March 15. If the change goes ahead, Faroe says, this would improve the economics of Fogelberg and potentially the new gas/condensate discovery.
Transocean Arctic next heads to PL 418 in the northern Norwegian North Sea to drill appraisal well 35/9-8 for Wintershall.
1/31/2013
