Askja discovery could trigger multi-field development

Jan. 2, 2014
Statoil has confirmed oil and gas discoveries in the Askja structure in the Norwegian North Sea.

Offshore staff

STAVANGER, Norway – Statoil has confirmed oil and gas discoveries in the Askja structure in the Norwegian North Sea.

The semisubmersibleOcean Vanguard drilled a well and side track in license PL272, finding gas in Askja West and oil in Askja East. The location is 35 km (21.7 mi) south of the Oseberg Sor complex, and 3 km (1.8 mi) southeast of Statoil’s 2011 Krafla/Krafla West discoveries.  

Main wellbore 30/11-9 S proved a net gas column of 90 m (295 ft) in late and mid-Jurassic rocks (lower Heather and upper Tarbert formations), while side track 30/11-9, 1.5 km (0.9 mi) to the southeast, encountered a net oil column of 40 m (131 ft) in the same geological intervals. In both cases, reservoir properties were as expected.

Combined recoverable volumes could be in the range of 19-44 MMboe. Askja could be developed jointly with Krafla and Krafla West, thought to hold 50-80 MMboe recoverable.

These were the second and third wells on the license, awarded in 2002. Statoil’s partners in PL272 are Svenska Petroleum Exploration and Det norske oljeselskap.

Ocean Vanguard will next drill wildcat well 25/9-4 for Statoil in North Sea license PL628.

01/02/2014