Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway – Statoil has discovered oil and gas at a previously undrilled structure in the Norwegian Sea, 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of the Norne field.
The semisubmersibleDeepsea Bergen spudded the well early last month on the Cape Vulture prospect in 374 m (1,227 ft) of water in license 128D, awarded under Norway’s APA round in 2015. Drilling followed development of a new exploration concept for the Nordland Ridge.
Statoil estimates the find could contain 20-80 MMboe recoverable, adding that the discovery opens up further exploration opportunities in the area. The company plans to use results from the well to identify other nearby exploration targets.
It will also consider a tieback to the Norne FPSO, where it aims to keep operations going until 2030.
According to theNorwegian Petroleum Directorate, the well encountered petroleum at two levels in the Lange formation.
TheDeepsea Bergen will next head to PL159 B in the Norwegian Sea to drill wildcat well 6507/3-12 for Statoil.
01/17/2017
