Wintershall opens Dutch oil play

Offshore staff

RIJSWIJK, the Netherlands – Wintershall has discovered oil in Dutch North Sea license F17a, 120 km (75 mi) north of Den Helder.

The F17-10 exploration well, drilled by the jackupGSP Saturn in 44 m (144 ft) of water, encountered a good-quality late Cretaceous chalk reservoir, which flowed oil during a production test.

The well was drilled to a TD of 1,490 m (4,888 ft) into the top of a salt dome. Measurements indicate a potentially significant oil column – early analysis suggests at least 30 MMbbl recoverable oil but with strong upside.

Wintershall and partners EBN, GDF Suez, Rosewood Exploration, and TAQA Offshore plan follow-up appraisal drilling during 2013.

Elsewhere in the Dutch sector, the company operates the declining Kotter and Logger oil fields, but most of its E&P in the region has focused on gas.

12/04/2012