Equinor has had to suspend operations on the NO 6610/7-3 exploration well on the Arkenstone prospect in the Norwegian Sea.
According to partner OKEA, the Deepsea Atlantic semisubmersible rig was drilling two pilot wells to assess the presence of shallow gas above the reservoir. Shallow gas did start to emerge; both wells have since been securely plugged with cement.
The focus now will be on ensuring safe drilling of Arkenstone can resume to accommodate the shallow gas zone in the formation’s upper layers.
Surrounding PL 1014 is roughly 100 km northeast of the Norne field.
Deepsea Atlantic will now transfer to PL1119 to spud the Mistral exploratory well.
