Noatun well strikes gas, condensate

Offshore staff

OSLO -- Drilling of an exploration well in the Noatun prospect, north of the Njord field in the Norwegian Sea, has struck gas and condensate, according to StatoilHydro.

The objective of exploration well 6407/7-8 was to prove gas/condensate in the middle/lower Jurassic reservoirs in the Noatun prospect. According to the company, the well struck gas/condensates at the prospective Jurassic range, although the size of the find is as yet unconfirmed.

The well has been formation tested using mini-DST, and extensive data and samples have been collected. A flank sidetrack will be drilled to confirm gas/water contact and the size of the find.

The semisubmersibleWest Alpha drilled the well to a vertical depth of 5,110 m (16,765 ft). The well was terminated at the Åre formation in the lower Jurassic level.

The rig will now continue operations in production license 107 by drilling sidetrack 6407/7-8A, the company says.

09/12/2008