Lundin Petroleum Norway has completed its latest appraisal well on the Avaldsnes discovery in the Norwegian North Sea.

The semisub Bredford Dolphin drilled well 16/5-2S on license PL501 in 111 m (364 ft) water depth, 8.5 km (5.3 mi) south of the discovery well 16/2-6, and 4 km (2.5 mi) south of appraisal well 16/2-7. The aim was to delineate the structure’s southern flank.

The latest well encountered a 15-m (49-ft) Jurassic sequence of which the upper 8 m (26 ft) has good reservoir quality. Top reservoir was encountered deeper than prognosed and below the oil-water contact. There were also hydrocarbon shows below the oil-water contact but these do not appear to be producible hydrocarbons.

Lundin says the result could lead to a reduction of resource estimates for this area. However, further geophysical studies and possible appraisal drilling will be needed to determine whether the deeper top reservoir depth at this location is not a local effect. 

After abandonment of the well, the rig will transfer to the next appraisal well location in the license, well 16/2-11.