Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway– Maersk Oil appears to have a minor oil discovery in the Norwegian Sea, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD).
Norway AS, operator of production license 431, is about to complete the semisubTransocean Winner drilled wildcat well 6406/3-9 in 316 m (1,038 ft) water depth on the license, 7 km (4.3 mi) southeast of the Statoil-operated Kristin field.
The well targeted petroleum in Cretaceous reservoir rocks (Lysing and Lange formations). It encountered oil in two zones distributed over several thin sandstone layers in both formations. However, NPD says the sandstone layers were thinner and the reservoir quality poorer than expected.
Although the find is not considered commercial, studies will continue to quantify the volumes and highlight any additional potential. But the well will be permanently P&A’d.
NPD has authorized Noreco to drill an exploratory well in Barents Sea license 396, using theTransocean Barents. Well 7228/1-1 will be the first drilled on the license, which comprises blocks 7228/1 and 7228/2.
Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) Norway has approved Total E&P’s request for an exploration well in the North Sea, using theBorgland Dolphin. Well 34/6-2 will be drilled on PL 554 in 383 m (1,256 ft) of water, and is scheduled to spud in June, with an estimated duration of 60 days, depending on results.
Centrica Energi, too, has approval from PSA for exploration drilling, this one using theWest Alpha. The rig will spud well 6506/11-9S later this month on Norwegian Sea license 477 in a water depth of 249 m (817 ft). Activity should last 76 days.
3/9/2012
