Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway – DNO has discovered oil with a well on the Gomez prospect in the southern North Sea, although the find may not be commercial.
The semisubmersible Borgland Dolphin drilled well 2/5-15 on the PL006C license 14 km (8.7 mi) east of the Ekofisk field in 67 m (220 ft) of water.
Although the well encountered hydrocarbons in the primary Paleocene target in the Våle formation, the thick sandstone reservoir was of poor to moderate quality.
While a small amount of oil was recovered during logging, there is uncertainty at this stage over whether the reservoir can be commercially produced, with no estimate at present of recoverable volumes.
DNO and partner Aker BP will examine the data before determining their next steps.
The Borgland Dolphin will remain in the southern North Sea to drill wildcat well 6306/3-1 S in PL 937 for INEOS E&P Norge.
DNO is also a partner in Equinor’s recently completed Black Vulture exploration well in Norwegian Sea license PL159B, drilled by the semisub West Hercules.
The aim was to delineate the 2019 6507/3-13 Cretaceous oil and gas discovery, close to the Norne field, but drilling only revealed weak traces of petroleum. This will likely lead to a downgrading of the reserves.
Next up for the West Hercules is another wildcat in the Norwegian Sea for Equinor in PL939.
DNO’s final exploration well for 2021, on the Mugnetind prospect, is due to spud shortly.
09/28/2021
